# Math Help - Wordy question, about rate of temperature increase.

1. ## Wordy question, about rate of temperature increase.

A tank contains water which is heated by an electric water heater working under the the action of a thermostat. The temperature of the water, $\theta degrees C$, may be modelled as follows. When the water heater is first switched on, $\theta=40$. The heater causes the temperature to increase at a rate $K1 degrees C$ per second, where $K1$ is a constant, untill $\theta=60$. The heater then switches off.

i)Write down, in terms of $K1$, how long iit takes for the temperature to increase from $40degreesC$ to $60degreesC$.

The temperature of the water then immediately starts to decrease at a variable rate $K2(\theta-20)degreesC$ per second, where $K2$ is a constant, untill $\theta=40$.

ii)Write down a differential equation to represent the situation as the temperature is decreasing.

iii)Fi nd the total length of time for the temperature to increase from $40degreesC$ to $60degreesc$ and then decrease to 40degreesC. Give your answer in terms of $K1$ and $K2$

Long question has confused me. Please show me how to do it.
Thanks

2. Originally Posted by George321
A tank contains water which is heated by an electric water heater working under the the action of a thermostat. The temperature of the water, $\theta degrees C$, may be modelled as follows. When the water heater is first switched on, $\theta=40$. The heater causes the temperature to increase at a rate $K1 degrees C$ per second, where $K1$ is a constant, untill $\theta=60$. The heater then switches off.

i)Write down, in terms of $K1$, how long iit takes for the temperature to increase from $40degreesC$ to $60degreesC$.

The temperature of the water then immediately starts to decrease at a variable rate $K2(\theta-20)degreesC$ per second, where $K2$ is a constant, untill $\theta=40$.

ii)Write down a differential equation to represent the situation as the temperature is decreasing.

iii)Fi nd the total length of time for the temperature to increase from $40degreesC$ to $60degreesc$ and then decrease to 40degreesC. Give your answer in terms of $K1$ and $K2$

Long question has confused me. Please show me how to do it.
Thanks
(i) $60 = 40 + k_1t$ ... solve for $t$

(ii) $\frac{d\theta}{dt} = k_2(\theta - 20)$

(iii) total time = $t$ from part (1) + $t$ for cool down

solve the DE for $\theta$ as a function of time using the initial value $\theta(0) = 60$ ... then determine the time for cool down to 40.