Math Problem Statement

If a thermometer is taken outdoors where the temperature is 0 degree Celsius, from a room in which the temperature is 21 degree Celsius and the reading drops to 10 degree Celsius in 1 minute, how long after its removal will the reading be 5 degree Celsius.

Solution

To solve this problem, we can use Newton's Law of Cooling, which is given by:

T(t)=Tenv+(T0Tenv)ektT(t) = T_{\text{env}} + (T_0 - T_{\text{env}}) e^{-kt}

Where:

  • T(t)T(t) is the temperature of the object at time tt.
  • TenvT_{\text{env}} is the ambient temperature (0°C in this case).
  • T0T_0 is the initial temperature of the object (21°C).
  • kk is the cooling constant.
  • tt is the time elapsed.

Step 1: Determine the cooling constant kk

First, we need to find kk using the information given:

At t=1t = 1 minute, the temperature drops to 10°C:

10=0+(210)ek110 = 0 + (21 - 0) e^{-k \cdot 1}

10=21ek10 = 21 e^{-k}

1021=ek\frac{10}{21} = e^{-k}

Taking the natural logarithm on both sides:

ln(1021)=k\ln \left(\frac{10}{21}\right) = -k

k=ln(1021)k = -\ln \left(\frac{10}{21}\right)

Step 2: Determine the time tt when the temperature is 5°C

Now, we need to find the time tt when the temperature is 5°C:

5=0+(210)ekt5 = 0 + (21 - 0) e^{-kt}

521=ekt\frac{5}{21} = e^{-kt}

Taking the natural logarithm on both sides:

ln(521)=kt\ln \left(\frac{5}{21}\right) = -kt

Substituting the value of kk we found earlier:

ln(521)=(ln(1021))t\ln \left(\frac{5}{21}\right) = -\left(-\ln \left(\frac{10}{21}\right)\right)t

t=ln(521)ln(1021)t = \frac{\ln \left(\frac{5}{21}\right)}{-\ln \left(\frac{10}{21}\right)}

Step 3: Calculate the value of tt

Let's compute this value.

t=ln(521)ln(1021)t = \frac{\ln \left(\frac{5}{21}\right)}{-\ln \left(\frac{10}{21}\right)}

t=ln(521)ln(2110)t = \frac{\ln \left(\frac{5}{21}\right)}{\ln \left(\frac{21}{10}\right)}

Calculating the logarithms:

tln(0.2381)ln(2.1)1.4330.741t \approx \frac{\ln(0.2381)}{\ln(2.1)} \approx \frac{-1.433}{0.741}

t1.934 minutest \approx 1.934 \text{ minutes}

Final Answer

It will take approximately 1.934 minutes after removal for the thermometer reading to be 5°C.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions for practice:

  1. What is Newton's Law of Cooling and when is it applied?
  2. How do you determine the cooling constant kk from experimental data?
  3. How does changing the ambient temperature affect the cooling time?
  4. What would happen if the thermometer was taken to an environment with a temperature below 0°C?
  5. Can Newton's Law of Cooling be used to estimate the time of death in forensic science?

Tip: Always take the natural logarithm of both sides when solving exponential equations for time, as it helps isolate the variable of interest.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Newton's Law of Cooling
Exponential Decay

Formulas

Newton's Law of Cooling: T(t) = T_env + (T_0 - T_env) * e^(-kt)

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School