Question

Suppose that a large mixing tank initially holds 500 gallons of water in which 50 pounds of salt have been dissolved. Another brine solution is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3 gal/min, and when the solution is well stirred, it is then pumped out at a slower rate of 2 gal/min. If the concentration of the solution entering is 4 lb/gal, determine a differential equation for the amount of salt A(t) in the tank at time
t > 0.

(Use A for

A(t).)

I got 6-(2A/t+500) Im not sure if the 6 is right the rate part since on another one the concentration entering was 2 lb/gal not 4 lb/gal

Answer 1

Answer:

The differential equation for the amount of salt A(t) in the tank at a time  t > 0 is $\frac{dA}{dt}=12 - \frac{2A(t)}{500+t}$.

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given that a large mixing tank initially holds 500 gallons of water in which 50 pounds of salt have been dissolved. Another brine solution is pumped into the tank at a rate of 3 gal/min, and when the solution is well stirred, it is then pumped out at a slower rate of 2 gal/min.

The concentration of the solution entering is 4 lb/gal.

Firstly, as we know that the rate of change in the amount of salt with respect to time is given by;

$\frac{dA}{dt}= \text{R}_i_n - \text{R}_o_u_t$

where, $\text{R}_i_n$ = concentration of salt in the inflow $\times$ input rate of brine solution

and $\text{R}_o_u_t$ = concentration of salt in the outflow $\times$ outflow rate of brine solution

So, $\text{R}_i_n$ = 4 lb/gal $\times$ 3 gal/min = 12 lb/gal

Now, the rate of accumulation = Rate of input of solution - Rate of output of solution

                                                = 3 gal/min - 2 gal/min

                                                = 1 gal/min.

It is stated that a large mixing tank initially holds 500 gallons of water, so after t minutes it will hold (500 + t) gallons in the tank.

So, $\text{R}_o_u_t$ = concentration of salt in the outflow $\times$ outflow rate of brine solution

             = $\frac{A(t)}{500+t} \text{ lb/gal } \times 2 \text{ gal/min}$ = $\frac{2A(t)}{500+t} \text{ lb/min }$

Now, the differential equation for the amount of salt A(t) in the tank at a time  t > 0 is given by;

= $\frac{dA}{dt}=12\text{ lb/min } - \frac{2A(t)}{500+t} \text{ lb/min }$

or $\frac{dA}{dt}=12 - \frac{2A(t)}{500+t}$.