What is the best way to rinse a dish?
Let’s make a few assumptions so we can answer the question. Let’s suppose there is some contaminant in the dish that starts at some concentration \(c_0\) as a portion of the initial volume \(V_0\) of the dish contents. Suppose we can do one of two things at a time: continuously add water at a rate \(r\), or pour out the contents of the dish. However, we can’t empty the dish entirely, instead leaving a volume \(V_\min\) in the container. Emptying the dish takes takes a time \(t\).
We want the dish to contain a volume of no more than \(V_\text{end}\) of the contaminant. What is the best strategy for rinsing?