LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

Integral transform is a particular kind of mathematical operator which arises in

the analysis of some boundary value and initial value problems of classical

Physics. A function g defined by a relation of the form g(y) = is

called the integral transform of f(x). The function K(x, y) is called the kernel of the
transform. The various types of integral transforms are Laplace transform, Fourier
transform, Mellin transform, Hankel transform etc.
Laplace transform is a widely used integral transform in Mathematics with many
applications in physics and engineering. It is named after Pierre-Simon Laplace,
who introduced the transform in his work on probability theory. The Laplace
transform is used for solving differential and integral equations. In physics and
engineering it is used for analysis of linear time-invariant systems such as
electrical circuits, harmonic oscillators, optical devices, and mechanical systems.
Definition
The Laplace transform of a function f(t), defined for all real numbers t ≥ 0, is the
function F(s), defined by:

L {f (t)} = . The parameter s is a complex number.

L is called the Laplace transformation operator.
Transforms of elementary functions

1. L {1} = , s > 0.

Proof:

2.
Proof:

3.
Proof:

4.
Proof:

5.
Proof:
 6.

Proof:

7.

Proof:

Properties of Laplace transforms

1. Linearity property.

If a, b, c be any constants and f, g, h be any functions of t then

Because of the above property of L, it is called linear operator.

2. First shifting property.

If L{f (t)} = F(s) then .

Proof:
 Application of this property leads to the following results.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
where in each case s > a.

Examples:
Find the Laplace transform of the following.
1. Sin32t

Solution:
 2.

Solution:

3.

Solution:

4.

Solution:

Exercises:
Find the Laplace transform of

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.
Transforms of integrals

Proof:

Multiplication by tn

Proof:

We have
which proves the theorem for n = 1.
Now assume the theorem to true for n = m(say), so that

This shows that if the theorem is true for n = m, it is also true for n = m+1. But
it is true for n = 1. Hence it is true for n = 1+1 = 2, n = 2+1 = 3 and so on.
Thus the theorem is true for all positive integral values of n.

Division by t

Proof:
Examples:
Find the Laplace transform of
1. tcosat

Solution:

2. te-tsin3t

Solution:

3.
Solution:
 Exercises:
Find the Laplace transforms of the following functions.

1. tsin2t 2. te2tsin3t 3.

4. 5.

Periodic functions:

Suppose that the function is periodic with period . Then its Laplace
transform is given by

Let us put Then

But , we get

Theorem
If has a Laplace Transform and if
Example (a)

Find the transform of the function

Example (b)
Find the transform of the square-wave function

Exercise:

1. Define a triangular-wave function by

Sketch and find its

Laplace Transform.
2. Define the function by Sketch
the graph of and find its Laplace Transform.
3. Define the function by Sketch
the graph of and find its Laplace Transform.
4. Sketch a half-wave rectification of the function , as described below,

and find its transform.

5. Find where

A Step Function:
Applications frequently deal with situations that change abruptly at specified
times. We need a notation for a function that will suppress a given term up
to a certain value of t and insert the term for all larger t. The function we are
about to introduce leads us to a powerful tool for constructing inverse
transforms.

Let us define function by

The definition says that is zero when the argument is negative and
is unity when the argument is positive or is zero. It follows that

The Laplace Transform of is

Now put in the integral to obtain

Theorem
If if and if be assigned values (no matter what

ones) for
Example (a):
Find where

Example (b) :

Find and sketch a function for which

g(t)
3

t
1 3

Exercises:
1. Sketch the graph of the given function for
-5
(i)
(ii)
2. Express in terms of the function and find .

(i)

(ii)
 (iii)

3. Find and sketch an inverse Laplace transform of

4. Evaluate

5. If is to be continuous for and

evaluate

INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORMS

Introduction:
Let L{f(t)} = F(s). Then f(t) is defined as the inverse Laplace transform of F(s) and is denoted
by L-1 {F(s)}.
Thus L-1 F(s) = f(t) ……………..(1)
L-1 is known as the inverse laplace transform operator and is such that
−1 −1
LL =L L=1
In the inverse problem (1), F(s) is given (known) and f(t) is to be determined.

Properties of Inverse Laplace transform

For each property on Laplace transform, there is a corresponding property on inverse Laplace
transform, which readily follow from the definitions.
1) Linearity Property
Let L-1 {F(s)} = f(t) and L-1 {G(s)} = g(t) and a and b be any two constants. Then
L-1 [a F(s) ± b G(s)] = a L-1 {F(s)} ± b L-1 { G(s)}
2) Shifting Property
at
If L-1 {F(s)}=f(t) then L-1 [F(s-a)]= e L-1{F(s)}
3) Inverse transform of derivative
n n n −1
If L-1{F(s)}=f(t) then L-1{F (s)}= (−1 ) t L {F (s)}

4) Division by s

If L-1{F(s)}=f(t) then

Table of Inverse Laplace Transforms of some standard functions

F(s) −1
f (t )=L F( s)
1 1
, s >0
s
1 at
, s >a e
s−a
s Cos at
, s>0
s +a2
2

1 Sin at
, s>0
s 2 +a2 a
1
, s>|a|
Sin h at
s −a2
2
a
s
, s>|a|
s −a2
2
Cos h at
1 t
n
n+1
, s>0
s n!
n = 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .
1 t
n
n+1
, s>0
s Γ ( n+1 )
n > -1

Examples
1. Find the inverse Laplace transforms of the following:
1 s +b 2 s−5 4 s−9
(i) (ii) (iii) +
2 s−5 s 2 +a 2 4 s 2 +25 9−s 2

Solution:
5t
−1 1 1 1 1
(i) L = L−1 = e2
2 s−5 2 5 2
s−
2
s+ b s 1 b
( ii) L−1 = L−1 2 2 +b L−1 2 2 = cos at + sin at
2
s +a 2
s +a s +a a

5 9
s− s−
( iii ) L−1
[ 2 s−5 4 s−8 2 −1
+
4 s 2 +25 9−s 2
= L
4 ]2
2 25
s +
−4 L−1 2
s
2
−9
4

=
1
2[ 5t
cos −sin
2
5t
2
3
] [
−4 cos h 3 t− sin h 3 t
2 ]
Exercise:
Find the inverse Laplace transform of the following

s +2 4 s−1 ( s +2)
3
3 s+5 √ 2 1 3
+ 2 −
8
(i ) +
(iv) s √ s s √ s √ s
2 2 6 2
s + 36 s + 25 (ii) s (iii) s +8
Evaluation of L-1 F(s – a)
We have, if L{ f(t)} = F(s), then L[eat f(t)] = F(s – a), and so
L-1 F(s – a) = eat f(t) = e at L-1 F(s)
Examples
3 s+1
1. Evaluate : L−1
( s+1 )4
3 ( s +1-1 ) +1 1 1
Given = L-1 4
=3 L−1 3
−2 L−1
( s+1 ) ( s+1 ) ( s+1 ) 4

Using the formula

 −t 2 −t 3
3e t e t
Given = −
2 3
s+2
2. Evaluate : L-1
s2 -2s+5

= L
-1 s+2
( s−1 )2 + 4
= L
[
−1 ( s−1 )+ 3
( s−1 )2 +4
=L
−1 s−1
( s−1 )2 + 4 ]
+3 L
−1 1
( s−1 )2 + 4
s 1
= et L−1 2
+3 et L−1 2
s +4 s +4
3
= et cos 2 t+ et sin 2 t
2
2 s +1
: L−1 2
(3)Evaluate s +3 s +1

= 2L -1
( s+ 32 )−1
3 2 5
( 2) 4
s+ −
=2
[ L −1
( s + 32 )
( s + 32 ) −5 4
2
−L−1
1

( s+ 32 ) −5 4
2
]
[ ]
−3 t −3t
2 −1 s 2 1
=2 e L −e L−1
5 5
s2− s2 −
4 4

[ ]
−3t
=2 e 2
cos h
√ 5 t 2 sin h √ 5 t
2 √5 2
Exercise

Find the inverse Laplace transforms of the following

s+5 7 s+ 4 e
−4 s
(s+2)e−s
2 4
(iii) (s−2 ) (iv) (s+1)
2 2
(i) s −6 s+13 (ii) 4 s + 4 s+ 9
 INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM OF e-as F(s)

Evaluation of L-1[e-as F(s)]

We have, if L{f(t)} = F(s), then L[f(t-a) H(t-a) = e-as F(s), and so
L-1[e-as F(s)] = f(t-a) H(t-a)
Examples
e−5 s −1
(1) Evaluate: L
( s−2 )4

Here

( 2) Evaluate : L−1
[ e−πs se− 2 πs
s2 +1
+ 2
s +4
Given =f 1 ( t −π ) H ( t − π ) + f 2 ( t −2 π ) H ( t −2 π )
]
( 1)

1
Here f 1 ( t )= L−1 =sin t
s2 + 1
s
f 2 ( t )= L−1 =cos 2t
s2 + 4

Now relation ( 1) reads as

Given = sin ( t −π ) H ( t − π ) +cos 2 ( t −2 π ) H ( t −2 π )

= −cos t H ( t −π )+ cos ( 2 t ) H ( t− 2 π )

Exercise:
Find the inverse Laplace transform of the following

(i)
[ 3 2 e−s 3 e−2 s
s2
+
s 3
−
s ] (ii)
cosh 2 s
e3 s s2
 −s
−3 s
1+ e se
2
+ πe
−s

s2 (iv) s2+ π 2
(iii)

INVERSE LAPLACE TRANSFORM BY PARTIAL FRACTION AND

LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION

Examples
1
(1) (s+1)( s−2)
1
Let F(s)= (s+1)( s−2)
By applying partial fraction we get
1 A B A( s−2)+B(s+1)
+ =
(s+1)( s−2) = (s +1) (s−2 ) ( s+1 )( s−2 )

1= A ( s−2)+B (s +1)
1
⇒1=3 B ⇒ B=
put s=2 3
1
⇒1=−3 A ⇒ A=−
put s=-1 3
Therefore
−1 1
3 3
+
F(s)= (s+1) (s−2 )

1 1 1 1
−
F(s)= 3 (s−2 ) 3 (s+1)
Taking inverse laplace transform, we get
1 −1 1 1 1 1 2t 1 −t
−1 L − L−1 e − e
L {F (s)}= 3 (s−2 ) 3 ( s+1 ) = 3 3

2 s 2 +5 s−4
2. Evaluate :
s3 +s 2 −2 s
we have
 2 s 2 +5 s−4 2 s2 +5 s−4 2 s2 + 5 s−4 A B C
= = = + +
3 2
s + s −2 s s ( s + s−2 ) s ( s+2 ) ( s−1 )
2 s s+2 s−1

Then 2s2+5s-4 = A(s+2) (s-1) + Bs (s-1) + Cs (s+2)

For s = 0, we get A = 2, for s = 1, we get C = 1 and for s = -2, we get B = -1. Using these values
2
2 s +5 s−4 2 1 1
= − +
in (1), we get s +s −2 s s s+2 s−1
3 2

2 s2 +5 s−4
L−1 2 2
=2−e−2 t +et
s + s −25
4 s +5
3 . Evaluate : L−1
( s+1 )2 + ( s +2 )
Consider
4 s +5 A B C
= + +
( s+1 )2 + ( s +2 ) ( s+1 )2 s+1 s+2
Then
4s + 5 = A(s + 2) + B(s + 1) (s + 2) + C (s + 1)2
For s = -1, we get A = 1, for s = -2, we get C = -3
Comparing the coefficients of s2, we get B + C = 0, so that B = 3. Using these values in (1), we
get

4 s+ 5 1 3 3
= + −
2
( s +1 ) + ( s+2 ) ( s +1 ) 2
( s+1 ) s+2

Hence
4 s+5 1 1 1
L−1 =e−t L−1 2 +3 e−t L−1 −3 e−2 t L−1
2
( s+1 ) + ( s+2 ) s s s
−t −t −2t
=te +3e −3e
−1 s3
4 . Evaluate : L 4 4
s −a
Let
3
s A B Cs+ D
= + + 2 (1)
4
s −a 4 s− a s+a s + a2
Hence
 s3 = A(s + a) (s2 + a2) + B (s-a)(s2+a2)+(Cs + D) (s2 – a2)
For s = a, we get A = ¼; for s = -a, we get B = ¼; comparing the constant terms, we get
D = a(A-B) = 0; comparing the coefficients of s3, we get
1 = A + B + C and so C = ½. Using these values in (1), we get

[ ]
3
s 1 1 1 1 s
= + + 2 2
s −a 4 s−a s+ a 2 s +a
4 4

Taking inverse transforms, we get

3
s 1 1
L −1
= [ eat +e−at ]+ cos at
s −a 4
4 4 2
1
= [ cos hat +cos at ]
2
s
5 . Evaluate : L−1
s + s 2 +1
4

Consider

s
= 2
s
=
1 2s
[
s +s +1 ( s + s+1 ) + ( s 2 −s+1 ) 2 ( s 2 +s+1 )( s2 −s+1 )
4 2 ]
=
1
2 [ ( s 2 + s+1 ) −( s 2 −s +1 ) 1 1
( s + s+1 ) ( s −s +1 )
2 2
= 2 ] [ 1
− 2
2 ( s −s +1 ) ( s + s+1 ) ]

[ ]
1 1 1
= −
2 1 2 3 1 2 3
( 2 ) 4 ( 2 ) +4
s− + s+

[ ]
1 1
−1 s 1 t 1 1
− t
L 4 2 = e 2 L−1 −e 2 L−1
s +s +1 2 s2+
3
s2 +
3
4 4

[ ]
1 sin
√3 t 1 sin
√3 t
1 2
t 2 − t
2 2
= e −e
2 √3 √3
2 2
 =
2
√3
sin
2( ) ()
√3 t sin h t
2

Transform of logarithmic and inverse functions

We have, if L{ f(t )}= F(s ), then L [ tf ( t ) ] =−

d
ds
−1
(d
)
F ( s ) Hence . L − F ( s ) =tf (t )
ds
Examples

(1) Evaluate : L−1 log ( s+a

s+b )

Let F (s )=log ( )
s+a
s+b
=log ( s +a )−log ( s +b )

d
Then − F ( s )=−
ds
1
[ −
1
s +a s +b ]
[ d
]
So that L−1 − F ( s ) =− [ e−at −e−bt ]
ds
or t f ( t )=e −e−at
−bt

e−bt −e−at
Thus f ( t )=
b

(2) Evaluate L
−1 tan−1 ( as )
Let F (s )=tan −1 (as )
Inverse transform of [ ]
F ( s)
s
Then −
d
ds [ ]
a
F ( s )= 2 2
s +a
t
L∫ f ( t ) dt=
F (s )
s
[
−1 d
]
or L − F ( s ) = sin at so that
ds
Since 0 or t f ( t )=sin at

[ ]
t
F (s ) sin at
L−1
=∫ f ( t ) dt f ( t )=
a
we have
s 0
Examples:

(1) Evaluate : L
−1
[ ( )] 1
s s 2 +a2
1
Let us denote F ( s )= so that
s2 + a2
sin at
f (t )=L−1 F ( s )=
a

t
1 F ( s) sin at
Then L−1 = =L−1 =∫ dt
s (s + a )
2 2 s 0 a

( 1−cos at )
=
a2

(2) Evaluate : L
−1
[ 1
s 2 ( s +a )2 ]
1
we have L−1 2
=e−at t
( s +a )

t
−1 1
Hence L 2
=∫ e−at t dt
s ( s+a ) 0

1
2 [
= 1−e−at ( 1+at ) ] , on integration by parts .
a

Using this, we get

t
−1 1 1
L 2 2
= 2 ∫ [ 1−e−at ( 1+at ) ] dt
s ( s+a ) a 0

1
3 [
= at ( 1+e−at ) +2 ( e−at −1 ) ]
a

CONVOLUTION THEOREM AND L.T. OF CONVOLUTION

 INTEGRAL

The convolution of two functions f(t) and g(t) denoted by f(t) ¿ g(t) is defined as
t

∫ f (t−u) g(u )du

f(t) ¿ g(t) = 0

Property:
f(t) ¿ g(t) = g(t) ¿ f(t)
Proof :- By definition, we have
t

∫ f (t−u) g(u )du

f(t) ¿ g(t) = 0

Setting t-u = x, we get

0

∫ f ( x)g (t−x )(−dx)

f(t) ¿ g(t) = t

∫ g(t−x )f (x )dx=g (t )∗f (t )

= 0

This is the desired property. Note that the operation ¿ is commutative.

CONVOLUTION THEOREM:
L[f(t) ¿ g(t)] = L{f(t)}.L{g(t)}
Proof: Let us denote
t

∫ f (t−u) g(u )du

f(t) ¿ g(t) = (t) = 0

Consider
∞ t
L[ φ(t )]=∫ e [∫ f (t−u )g(u)]dt
−st

0 0

∞ t
∫∫ e−st f (t−u)g (u)du
= 0 0 (1)
We note that the region for this double integral is the entire area lying between the lines u =0 and
u = t. On changing the order of integration, we find that t varies from u to  and u varies from 0
to .

u
u=t
t=u t=
0 u=0 t
Hence (1) becomes
∞ ∞
∫ ∫ e−st f (t−u)g(u)dtdu
L[(t)] = u=0 t=u

{ }
∞ ∞
∫e −su
g(u) ∫ e
−s( t−u )
f (t−u )dt du
= 0 u

{∫ }
∞ ∞
∫e −su
g(u) e−sv f (v)dv du
= 0 0 , where v = t-u
∞ ∞
∫e −su
g(u)du ∫ e−sv f (v )dv
= 0 0

= L g(t) . L f(t)
Thus
L f(t) . L g(t) = L[f(t) ¿ g(t)]
This is desired property.
Examples:
1. Verify Convolution theorem for the functions f(t) and g(t) in the following cases :
(i) f(t) = t, g(t) = sint (ii) f(t) =t, g(t) = et
(i) Here,
t t

∫ f (u) g(t−u )du ∫ u sin(t−u )du

f ¿ g= 0 = 0
 Employing integration by parts, we get
f ¿ g = t – sint
so that
1 1 1
2
− 2 = 2 2
L [f ¿ g] = s s +1 s ( s +1 ) (1)
Next consider
1 1 1
⋅
2 2
= 2 2
L f(t) . L g(t) = s s +1 s ( s +1 ) (2)
From (1) and (2), we find that
L [f ¿ g] = L f(t) . L g(t)
Thus convolution theorem is verified.
t

∫ uet−u du
(ii) Here f ¿ g= 0

Employing integration by parts, we get

f ¿ g = et – t – 1
so that
1 1 1 1
− 2− = 2
L[f ¿ g] = s−1 s s s (s−1) (3)
Next
1 1 1
⋅ =
L f(t) . L g(t) = s s−1 s (s−1 )
2 2
(4)
From (3) and (4) we find that
L[f ¿ g] = L f(t) . L g(t)
Thus convolution theorem is verified.
2. By using the Convolution theorem, prove that
t
1
L∫ f (t )dt= Lf (t )
0 s

Let us define g(t) = 1, so that g(t-u) = 1

 Then
t t
L∫ f (t )dt=L∫ f (t )g (t−u)dt=L[ f ∗g ]
0 0

1
= L f(t) . L g(t) = L f(t) . s
Thus
t
1
L∫ f (t )dt= Lf (t )
0 s
This is the result as desired.
3. Using Convolution theorem, prove that
t
1
L∫ e−u sin (t−u)du=
0 (s+1)( s2 +1 )
Let us denote, f(t) = e-t g(t) = sin t, then
t t
L∫ e sin (t−u)du=L∫ f (u) g(t−u )du
−u

0 0 = L f(t) . L g(t)
1 1 1
⋅ 2 2
= (s +1) (s +1 ) = (s+1)( s +1)
This is the result as desired.
4 ) Employ Laplace Transform method to solve the integral equation .
t
f (t )=l+∫ f ( u ) sin ( t−u ) du
0

Taking Laplace transform of the given equation, we get

t
1
L f (t )= +L∫ f ( u ) sin ( t−u ) du
s 0
By using convolution theorem, here, we get

1 1 L f (t )
L f (t )= +Lf (t )⋅L sin t= + 2
s s s +1

Thus
s 2 +1
( )
2
−1 s +1 t2
L f (t )= 3 or f (t )=L 3 =1+
s s 2

This is the solution of the given integral equation .

Exercise:
Solve the following problems

1. Verify convolution theorem for the following pair of functions:

(i) f(t) = cosat, g(t) = cosbt
(ii) f(t) = t, g(t) = t e-t
(iii) f(t) = et g(t) = sint

2. Using the convolution theorem, prove the following:

t
s
L∫ (t−u)e u−1 cosudu=
(i) 0 (s+1) (s 2 +1)
2

t
1
L∫ (t−u)ue−au du=
(ii) 0 s ( s+a )2
2
 t
3) f (t ) =1+2∫ f ( t−u ) e−2u du
0

t
4 ) f '(t ) =t+∫ f ( t−u ) cos u du , f (0 )=4
0

Inverse transform of F (s) by using convolution theorem

We have, if L(t )= F( s) and Lg(t )= G( s), then

L [ f (t )∗ g (t ) ] =Lf (t )⋅Lg(t )=F (s) G( s ) and so

t
L−1
[ F ( s) G( s)]=f (t )∗ g (t )=∫ f ( t−u ) g ( u ) du
0

This expression is called the convolution theorem for inverse Laplace transform

Examples
Employ convolution theorem to evaluate the following :
1
(1) L−1
( s+a )( s+b )
1 1
Let us denote F( s)= , G( s)=
s+a s+b

-at -bt
Taking the inverse, we get f (t )= e , g (t )= e

Therefore, by convolution theorem,

t t
−1 1
=∫ e ∫ e( a−b) u du
−a (t−u ) −bu −at
L e du =e
( s+a ) ( s+b ) 0 0

[ ]
( a−b ) t
−at e −1 e−bt −e−at
=e =
a−b a−b
 s
(2) L−1
( s2 +a2 )2
1 s
Let us denote F ( s )= 2 2
, G ( s )= 2 Then
s +a s + a2

sin at
f (t )= , g( t )= cos at
a

Hence by convolution theorem,

t
s 1
L−1 =∫ sin a ( t −u ) cos au du
(s + a )
2 2 2
0 a

t
1 sin at +sin ( at −2 au )
=
a
∫2 du , by using compound angle formula
0

[ ]
t
1 cos ( at− 2au ) t sin at
= u sin at − =
2a −2 a 0 2a

s
(3) L−1
( s−1 ) ( s 2 +1 )
Here
1 s
F( s )= , G( s )= 2
s−1 s +1
Therefore
f (t )= et , g(t )=sin t

By convolution theorem, we have

[ ]
−u t
−1 1 e
L =∫ e t−u
sin u du =e t
(−sin u−cos u )
( s−1 ) ( s2 +1 ) 2 0

t
e 1
¿ [ e−t (−sin t−cos t )−(−1 ) ] = [ et −sin t−cos t ]
2 2

By employing convolution theorem, evaluate the following:

 1 s2
(1) L−1 (4 ) L−1 , a≠b
( s+ 1 ) ( s2 +1 ) ( s 2 + a2 ) ( s2 +b2 )

s 1
(2) L−1 (5 ) L−1
( s+ 1 )2 ( s 2 +1 ) s2 ( s+1 )2

1 4 s+5
(3) L−1 (6 ) L−1
2 2 ( s−1 )2 ( s +2 )
(s + a )
2

Applications of Laplace transform

Laplace transform is very useful for solving linear differential equations with constant coefficients and
with given initial conditions. We take the Laplace transforms of the differential equations and then make
use of the initial conditions, which transforms the differential equations to an algebraic equation. Solve
for Laplace transform from this algebraic equation and the required solution is obtained by taking the
inverse of this transform.
Laplace transform of derivatives:

1.

2.

3. and so on.

Problems:

,
1. Solve given when .

Solution: Taking Laplace transforms,

On using the initial condition,

 Taking inverse,

2. Solve , given
Solution: Taking Laplace transforms,

On using the initial condition,

Resolving into partial fractions,

Taking the inverse Laplace transforms,

Exercises :-
Solve the following:

1.

2.

Electrical circuits:

Consider a simple circuit comprised of an inductance of magnitude (henrys ), a resistance of magnitude

(ohms), and capacitance of magnitude (farads) connected in series.

If is the emf (volts) applied to an circuit, then the current (amperes) in the circuit at time is
governed by the differential equation,
Here is the charge(coulomb) is related to through the relation . If then the above
equation can be rewritten as,

Examples:

1. A circuit carries an emf of voltage , where and are constants. Find the

current in the circuit if initially there is no current in the circuit.

Solution: The differential equation governing the current is,

or,
Taking Laplace transforms on both sides,

, where

Applying the initial condition, , we get,

By resolving into partial fractions,

Taking inverse Laplace transforms,

 2. A resistance in series with an inductance is connected with emf . The current is given

by, . The switch is connected at time and disconnected at time

Find the current in terms of , given that the emf is constant when the switch is on.

Solution:

Here consider as a constant.

The governing equation becomes,

Taking Laplace transforms and applying the initial condition, ,

, where

Taking inverse Laplace transforms,

Exercises:

1. A voltage is applied at to a circuit of inductance and resistance . Show that

current at time is .
 2. A simple electrical circuit consists of resistance and inductance in a series with constant

emf . If the switch is closed when , find the current at any time .

Mass spring systems

Consider a spring of length , tied at one end to a support and the other end is tied to a fixed mass
which is free. If is the force acting on the object, then from Newton’s second law of motion,

Suppose the medium through the setup is worked is resisting with a velocity of we have,

The auxiliary equation is given by,

The roots of the quadratic equation are,

The value of determines the sensitivity of the medium.

1. implies motion is under-damped.

2. implies the motion is critically damped.

3. implies the motion is over-damped.

Here is the stiffness of the spring and can be given by the weight of the object per unit total length of

the spring, , where is the length of the spring entirely and

1. A spring can extend when of mass is attached to it. It is suspended vertically from a

support and set into vibration by pulling it down and imparting a velocity of
vertically upwards. Find the displacement from its equilibrium.
 Solution: Let be the displacement from its equilibrium.

Here

We can thus calculate the value of , i.e.

The equation of motion is ,

Taking Laplace transforms,

Taking the inverse Laplace transform,

2. A spring of stiffness has a mass attached to one end. It is acted upon by external force

. Discuss its motion in general.

Solution: We know from the Newton’s law of motion, ,

Taking Laplace transforms,

By applying the initial conditions,

Taking the inverse Laplace transforms,

 Exercise:

1. A spring is stretched inches by a pound weight. Let the weight be attached to the spring and

pulled down inches below the equilibrium point. If the weight id started with an upward

velocity of feet per second, describe the motion. No damping or impressed force is present.

2. A spring is such that 4 lb weight stretches it 6 inches. An impressed force is acting on the
spring. If the 4 pound weight is started from the equilibrium point with an upward velocity of 4
feet per second, describe the motion.