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Mathematical Model
defined
Equation Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
Numerical Method
As
Problem Solving:
If the downward force is assigned a positive sign, the second law can
be used to formulate the force due to gravity, as
where g = the gravitational constant,
or the acceleration due to gravity,
which is approximately equal to 9.8
where c = a proportionality constant called the drag coefficient (kg/s). Thus, the
greater
the fall velocity, the greater the upward force due to air resistance. The
parameter c accounts for properties of the falling object, such as shape or
surface roughness, that affect air resistance. For the present case, c might be a
function of the type of jumpsuit or the orientation used by the parachutist during freefall.
Problem Solving:
for Newtons second law by realizing that the time rate of change of velocity can be
approximated by:
At the start of the computation (ti = 0), the velocity of the parachutist is zero. Using
this information and the parameter values from the example it can be used to
compute velocity at ti+1 = 2 s:
For the next interval (from t = 2 to 4 s), the computation is
repeated, with the result
Problem Solving
3. Consider the following situation where water flows from a tap into a measuring
cylinder at a constant rate. Suppose we wish to construct a model to show how the
water level changes with time so that we can predict how long it would take to fill the
whole cylinder. The water level at various points in time can be read off the measuring
cylinder. The data is recorded in the form of a graph as shown.
From the data, we can now try and guess the relationship between the water level y, and the time
after the tap is turned on, t, assuming that the initial water level is c. It is not hard to see that the
water level, y, at any time t should be c plus some positive number, and this positive number should
depend on t. Eventually, the model obtained should look something like
By modelling this simple physical situation, the linear relationship could come alive. The linear
function is given some context and the graph actually represents something real and physical.
Furthermore, the process of modelling would hopefully enable the learner to appreciate other related
concepts. For instance, we get a steeper gradient of the graph when the rate of water flowing from
the tap is increased.