OCR MEI Further Pure Core 2024 June — Question 17

Exam BoardOCR MEI
ModuleFurther Pure Core (Further Pure Core)
Year2024
SessionJune
TopicFirst order differential equations (integrating factor)

17 In an industrial process, a container initially contains 1000 litres of liquid. Liquid is drawn from the bottom of the container at a rate of 5 litres per minute. At the same time, salt is added to the top of the container at a constant rate of 10 grams per minute. After \(t\) minutes the mass of salt in the container is \(x\) grams, and you are given that \(x = 0\) when \(t = 0\). In modelling the situation, it is assumed that the salt dissolves instantly and uniformly in the liquid, and that adding the salt does not change the volume of the liquid.
    1. Show that the concentration of salt in the liquid after \(t\) minutes is \(\frac { \mathrm { X } } { 1000 - 5 \mathrm { t } }\) grams per litre.
    2. Hence show that the mass of salt in the container is given by the differential equation $$\frac { d x } { d t } + \frac { x } { 200 - t } = 10$$
  1. Show by integration that \(\mathrm { x } = 10 ( 200 - \mathrm { t } ) \ln \left( \frac { 200 } { 200 - \mathrm { t } } \right)\).
    1. Hence determine the mass of salt in the container when half the liquid is drawn off.
    2. Determine also the time at which the mass of salt in the container is greatest.
  2. When the process is run, it is found that the concentration of salt over time is higher than predicted by the model. Suggest a reason for this.