Home > Science Seminar > Spring 2007 Seminar Schedule > Environmental Mathematics
The Science Seminar Series: January 25, 2007 4pm
Environmental Mathematics
Ben Fusaro
Florida State University
Powell HallTime: 4:00 - 5:00pm
Abstract
It is quite natural to use differential equations to model systems that deal with storage, flows, and their interactions but it is not necessary. A five-stage modeling process will be introduced that starts with a qualitative analysis, moves to a simple energy diagram, a flow equation, a computation, and then a standard graph. Liberal arts majors can model scenarios that confuse many engineering majors (who charge in with d.e.'s at the ready). This visual approach makes autocatalytic systems transparent, introduces the environmentally-crucial concept of embodied energy, and leads to a money-time-energy equivalence.