CHE 358

Numerical Methods
for Engineers
Prepared by:
Dr. K. Mensah - Darkwa
Lesson-02
Mathematical Model

A Simple Mathematical Model

A mathematical model can be broadly
defined as a formulation or equation that
expresses the essential features of a
physical system or process in
mathematical terms.

Models can be represented by a functional

relationship between dependent variables,
independent variables, parameters, and
forcing functions.

CHE 358~Dr. K. Mensah-Darkwa 1

 Model Function

Dependent independent forcing

f , parameters,
variable variables functions

Dependent variable - a characteristic that usually

reflects the behavior or state of the system

Independent variables - dimensions, such as time and
space, along which the systems behavior is being
determined
Parameters - constants reflective of the systems
properties or composition
Forcing functions - external influences acting upon the
system
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Model Function Example

Assuming a bungee jumper is in mid-flight, an analytical
model for the jumpers velocity, accounting for drag, is

gm gcd
v (t ) = tanh t
cd m

Dependent variable - velocity v

Independent variables - time t
Parameters - mass m, drag coefficient cd
Forcing function - gravitational acceleration g
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CHE 358~Dr. K. Mensah-Darkwa 2

 Numerical Modeling
Some system models will be given as implicit
functions or as differential equations - these can
be solved either using analytical methods or
numerical methods.
Example - the bungee jumper velocity equation
from before is the analytical solution to the
differential equation

dv c
g d v 2
dt m
where the change in velocity is determined by the
gravitational forces acting on the jumper versus
the drag force.

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Model Results
Using a computer (or a calculator), the model can be
used to generate a graphical representation of the
system. For example, the graph below represents the
velocity of a 68.1 kg jumper, assuming a drag coefficient
of 0.25 kg/m
gm gc
Exact and analytical solution vt tanh d
t
cd m
(v=0 at t=0 to t=12s)

CHE 358~Dr. K. Mensah-Darkwa 3

 Numerical Methods
To solve the problem using a numerical
method, note that the time rate of change
of velocity can be approximated as:

dv c
g d v 2
dt m

dv v vti1 vti

dt t ti1 ti
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Euler's Method

Substituting the finite difference into the

differential equation gives
dv c
= g d v2
dt m
v(ti+1) v(ti) cd
ti+1 ti =g v2
m
Solve for
cd
v(ti+1) = v(ti) + g v(ti)2 (ti+1 ti)
m

new = old + slope step 8

CHE 358~Dr. K. Mensah-Darkwa 4

 Numerical Results
Applying Euler's method in 2 s intervals yields:

How do we improve the solution?

Smaller steps
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Bases for Numerical Models

Conservation laws provide the foundation for
many model functions.

Different fields of engineering and science apply

these laws to different paradigms within the field.

Among these laws are:

Conservation of mass
Conservation of momentum
Conservation of charge
Conservation of energy

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CHE 358~Dr. K. Mensah-Darkwa 5

 Bases for Numerical Models

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Bases for Numerical Models

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