ODE-27

First-order τ

RL time constant.

Reading speed

GoverningFirst-order τ

Governing equation

\\tau=L/R

$R \in \left[0.1, 40\right]$

where

L: L (H)
R: R (Ω)
tau: First-order τ (s)

The figure, part by part

Each numbered marker wears the color of its card. Hover a card to light the marker. Tap a marker to jump to that card. The slider walks a red point along the curve; Animate drawing traces it like a pen.

00:0 / 00:08

①

Governing law — red

\\tau=L/R

$R \in \left[0.1, 40\right]$

$R = 0.1$ $tau = 0.8$

Along the curve

②

Domain of the variable — blue

R_{\min} = 0.1,\quad R_{\max} = 40

$R \in \left[0.1, 40\right]$

$R = 0.1$ $R = 0.1$

Along the curve

③

Response curve — green

\\tau=L/R

$R \in \left[0.1, 40\right]$

$R = 0.1$ $tau = 0.8$

Along the curve

④

Rate of change — amber

\frac{\mathrm{d}tau}{\mathrm{d}R}

$R \in \left[0.1, 40\right]$

$R = 0.351$ $tau^{\prime} = -1.329$

Along the curve

Lecture brief

Historical brief

Exponential decay, the harmonic oscillator, SIR epidemics, Lotka–Volterra and Bessel are the first solvable ODEs of nature and populations. The lab is rate, period and phase portrait in closed form. This sheet (ODE-27 — First-order τ) is the form associated with First-order τ. Working symbols: $L$ , $R$ $\rightarrow$ $tau$ . RL time constant. Pedagogical SI sheet with a live model and a swept parameter.

Purpose

Purpose: compute

tau

from

L

R

in Differential equations via

\\tau=L/R

RL time constant. Use it when a real differential equations question must be answered in SI before a code check.

Live realistic example

In symbols

Live case. Given

L = 0.080\,\mathrm{H}

R = 4.000\,\mathrm{Ω}

, the governing relation

\\tau=L/R

yields

tau = 0.020\,\mathrm{s}

. One governing identity, SI units, a single sweep on the sheet. Move a slider: the numbers are this situation, not a canned story.

Calculator

Inputs

L L0.08 HR R4 Ω

Outputs

First-order τ tau0.020 s

Reading speed

Watch on YouTube

Free library

Full library

Free PDF / open book

YouTube channels

00:0 / 00:08

Narration of this film

One governing identity, SI units, a single sweep on the sheet.

RL time constant. Pedagogical SI sheet with a live model and a swept parameter.

Reading speed

Watch on YouTube