exponential growth and decay (1 Viewer)

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ok i have a question here from ex. 19(b) fitzpatrick q. 18

sunlight transmitted into water loses intensity as it penetrates to greater depths according to the law I(d) = I(0)e^-kd
where I(d) is the intensity at depth d meters blow the surface, if
I(300) = 0.3 I(0) find:
a) the value of k
b) the depth at which the intensity would be decreased by one half.

plz helpppp!!! thanx
 

Xayma

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a) at d=300, e<sup>-300k</sup>=0.3
-300k ln e=ln 0.3
k=ln 0.3/-300
k=approx= 4.01x10<sup>-3</sup> (remember to use the full value for k in the question)

b) When the intensity is at half e<sup>-kd</sup>=0.5
e<sup>-4.01x10<sup>-3</sup>d</sup>=0.5
-4.01x10<sup>-3</sup>d ln e=ln 0.5
d=ln 0.5/(-4.01x10<sup>-3</sup>)
d=172.71m (2 dp)
 

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