(a) Let the skydiver's downward velocity at time t be given by v(t). Since gravity causes her downward velocity to increase at the rate of g≈9.8, there is a factor of +9.8 meters per second squared in the differential equation for dtdv, while the factor of wind resistence causing the velocity to decrease contributes the negative factor −kv. Thus, the differential equation is
dtdv=9.8−kv
(b) To find the equilibrium solutions, we set dtdv=0 and solve for v. Doing so, 0=9.8−kv, so v=k9.8. Moreover, we note that for v<k9.8, dtdv>0, while for dtdv>k9.8, dtdv<0. Thus, for velocities just above the equilibrium, the velocity will decrease and for velocities just below the equilibrium, the velocity will decrease, making v=k9.8 a stable equilibrium.
(c) We assume that v(0)=0 and solve the IVP with the differential equation we developed. Taking the differential equation
dtdv=9.8−kv
and separating the variables, we have
9.8−kv1dtdv=1. Integrating with respect to t,
∫9.8−kv1dv=∫1dt, and using a standard substitution, we have
−k1ln∣9.8−kv∣=t+C. Solving for v, we have ln∣9.8−kv∣=−kt+C1 (where C1=−Ck, or
∣9.8−kv∣=e−kt+C1=C2e−kt. Incorporating the absolute value into the constant C2 in the usual way, we have for some constant A that
9.8−kv=Ae−kt
and thus
v=k9.8−Ae−kt. Setting v(0)=0, we can also determine A, since then
0=k9.8−A
so A=9.8. The solution to the IVP is therefore
v(t)=k9.8−9.8e−kt
(d) If the skydiver's terminal velocity is 54 meters per second, this means that
t→∞limv(t)=54
Using the solution we found in (c), we observe that
t→∞limk9.8−9.8e−kt=k9.8
since e−kt→0 as t→∞. Thus, 54=k9.8, so k=9.8/54≈0.181481.
(e) To find how long does it take to reach 50% of the terminal velocity, we set v(t)=0.1814819.8−9.8e−0.181481t=0.5(54) and solve for t. We have
9.8−9.8e−0.181481t=0.5(54)(0.181481), so
9.8−9.8e−0.181481t=4.9, and thus 9.8e−0.181481t=4.9, which tells us
e−0.181481t=0.5. Solving for t, t=−0.181481ln(0.5)≈3.1894 seconds.