Final answer:
To calculate the inhaled volume at time t using the model f(t) = 1/2 sin(2t/3), integrate the function from 0 to t. The integrated result, V = -3/4 cos(2t/3) + 3/4, represents the total volume of air inhaled up to time t.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the volume of inhaled air in the lungs at time t using the function f(t) = \frac{1}{2} \sin(\frac{2t}{3}), we integrate the function over the time interval of interest. The rate of air flow is modelled by the sinusoidal function, with a maximum rate of 0.5 l/s corresponding to the amplitude of the sine wave.
For a continuous function such as this, the integral from the starting time, t = 0, to any other time t gives the total volume inhaled during that time. The volume V of air inhaled from the beginning of inhalation until time t is given by:
V = ∫f(t) dt = ∫\frac{1}{2} \sin(\frac{2t}{3}) dt
The integral of \frac{1}{2} \sin(\frac{2t}{3}) from 0 to t is V = -\frac{3}{4} \cos(\frac{2t}{3})\bigg|_{0}^{t} = -\frac{3}{4} [\cos(\frac{2t}{3}) - \cos(0)]. Since \cos(0) = 1, we can simplify this to:
V = -\frac{3}{4} \cos(\frac{2t}{3}) + \frac{3}{4}
This gives us the volume of inhaled air in the lungs at any time t using the given model for the air flow rate.