Assume that the population grows exponentially that is acco

Assume that the population grows exponentially - that is, according to the law N(t) = N 0 e kt . At the start of an experiment, 4,000 bacteria are present in a colony. Two hours later, the population is 5,500. Determine the growth constant k. Please round the answer to four decimal places.

Solution

N(t)=N₀e^kt

5500=4000e^2k

11/8=e^2k

ln(11/8) /2=k

k=.1592

Therefore growth constant k=0.1592