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Differential Equations:
Applications

Prepared by:

Engr. Maricar R. Cabansag

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Topics
A. Geometrical Application 1: Equation of Rectangular
Curves
B. Geometrical Application 2: Isogonal and Orthogonal
Trajectories
C. Physical Application 1: Newtons Second Law of
Motion
D. Physical Application 2: Exponential Growth and
Decay
E. Physical Application 3: Simple Electric Circuits

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Applications of Ordinary
First-Ordered D.E.
both Geometrical and Physical
problems in Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, C.E.,
Electrical circuits, and others.

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A. Geometrical Application 1:
Equation of Rectangular Curves

Tangent line slope: =


Normal line slope: =

Samples:
1. Find the equation of the curve passing through the p(3, 2)
2 + 2
and having a slope at any point (, ) equal to .
3 2
2. Find the equation of the curve such that the x-intercept of
the tangent line at any point (, ) on it divided by the
square of the ordinate is a constant.
3. The part of the normal to a curve, at any point (, ) and the
point where the normal meets the y-axis is bisected by the
x-axis. Find the equation of the curve.
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B. Geometrical Application 2:
Isogonal & Orthogonal Trajectories
a. G(x, y) one-parameter family of curves
R(x, y) one-parameter family of curves

Every (, ) intersects
(, ) at fixed angle
then (, ) is the
ISOGONAL
TRAJECTORIES
of (, ).

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B. Geometrical Application 2:
Isogonal & Orthogonal Trajectories
b. Angle between two family of curves:

= 1
1+

c. Slopes: = ; =

Remarks:
*ORTHOGONAL TRAJECTORIES if (, ) intersects
(, ) at =90o.
1
= ; =

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B. Geometrical Application 2:
Isogonal & Orthogonal Trajectories
Samples:
1. Find the isogonal trajectories of the circles 2 + 2 =
if the angles of intersection are 45o.
2. Find the orthogonal trajectories of the one-parameter
family 2 = 2 + .

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C. Physical Application 1:
Newtons Second Law of Motion
a. Second Law of Motion on dynamics, states that
the resultant of all forces acting on a body is
proportional to, and in the same direction as, the
acceleration of the body, is

= = where: m =

; =

; =

b. Velocity of the body at any time, t, and will take the

form: = ().
c. Displacement of the body at any time:

= ; =

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C. Physical Application 1:
Newtons Second Law of Motion
Remarks:
1. Force is in the same direction as the motion:
Positive: same direction
Negative: opposite direction

2. Limiting / Terminal Velocity

= 0
body falls at a uniform velocity. = 0.

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C. Physical Application 1:
Newtons Second Law of Motion
Sample:
1. A body weighing 445N is drawn along a rough surface.
the force applied in the same direction of motion is
135N and the frictional force is 90N. if there is an air
resistance whose magnitude (N) is equal to twice the
velocity at any instant. Determine the velocity and
displacement at any time t and t = 1s. Assume the body
started from rest.
2. A body falls in a medium offering resistance
proportional to the speed at any time. If the limiting
speed is 15m/s and if the body attains half the speed in
1sec. What was the initial speed?
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D. Physical Application 1:
Exponential Growth and Decay
Exponential Decay
decomposition at a rate proportional to its amount at any
instant.

Exponential Growth
increase at a rate which varies directly as its number at
any time.

If S represents the amount of certain substance which

follows the law of exponential change then

= or =

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D. Physical Application 1:
Exponential Growth and Decay
Remarks:
1. C1 and k two ( 2 ) boundary conditions.
2. If k < 0 exponential decay (-)
k > 0 exponential growth (+)
3. Newtons Law on Cooling follows a very similar
process as the law of exponential change.

= ( )

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D. Physical Application 1:
Exponential Growth and Decay
Examples
1. Radium decomposes at a rate proportional to the
amount present. In 100 years, 100 mg of radium
decompose to 96 mg. How many mg will be left after
another 100 years? What is the half-life (the time
required to decompose half the initial amount) of
radium?
2. The population of a certain community follows the law of
exponential change. If the present population of the
community is 144,000 and ten years ago was 100,000
when will the population double? In ten years what will
be the population of the community?
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D. Physical Application 1:
Exponential Growth and Decay
Examples
1. According to the Newtons law of cooling, the rate at
which the heat is lost by a heated body is proportional to
the difference in the temperature between the body and
the surrounding medium (when that temperature
difference is very small). If the thermometer is taken
outdoors, where the temperature is 5C, from a room in
which the temperature is 20C, and the reading drops
10C in one minute, how long after its removal from the
room will the reading be 6C? after 30 seconds what will
the thermometer reading?

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Simple Electric Circuits
with inductance (L), resistance (), and a capacitance
(F) in series with a source electromotive force (E).
D.E. from Ohms and Kirchhoff's Laws

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Remarks:
1. Inductance (L)
Henry (H), circuit parameter which opposes the change in
current causing potential drop of

= ,

2. Resistance (R)
Ohms (), circuit parameter which opposes the current
causing a drop of
= ,

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Remarks:
3. Capacitance (C)
Farad (F), circuit parameter which opposes the change in
voltage causing potential drop of

= ,

4. Current (I)
Ampere (A), rate of change of Electric charge, Q.

= , = ,

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Kirchhoffs First Law
The algebraic sum of all the potentials around a closed
electric circuit is zero.
=

+ + =

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Remarks:
1. If there is no Capacitance:

+ = =

2. If there is no Inductance:

+ =

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E. Physical Application 1:
Simple Electric Circuits
Examples
1. An inductance of 2H and a resistance of 20 are
connected in series with the EMF of E Volts. If the
current is connected in series zero at time, t = 0, find the
current at the end of 0.01sec if E is 100 Volts.
2. A constant inductance of 1H and a variable resistance
= 1/(5 + ) Ohms are connected in series with a
constant electromotive force. If I = 0A at time t = 0s,
what is the constant voltage if at t = 5 seconds, the
current I = 30 A?

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