Laplace Transform and its Application

Introduction

The knowledge of Laplace Transformations has in recent years became an essential

part of Mathematical background required of engineers and scientists. This is because
the transform methods provide an easy and effective means for the solution of many
problems arising in engineering.

The Laplace transform is named after Pierre-Simon Laplace (1749–1829), a renowned

French mathematician and astronomer. It is a mathematical operation that is used to
“transform” a variable from a variable domain to a parametric domain. In layman's
terms, the Laplace transform can be used to “convert” a variable of a function into a
parameter. After the transformation, that variable is no longer a variable but it can be
treated as a “parameter,” which—again in layman's terms—is a “constant under specific
conditions.” Transformation of variables into parameters can significantly simplify the
mathematical analysis of many physical problems. A word of caution, however, is that
the Laplace transform .

Application in the Field of Engineering

Laplace Transform methods have a key role to play in the modern approach to the
analysis and design of engineering system. The concepts of Laplace Transforms are
applied in the area of science and technology such as Electric circuit analysis,
Communication engineering, Control engineering and Nuclear physics etc. The Laplace
Transform is widely used in following science and engineering field.

1. Analysis of electronic circuits:

Laplace Transform is widely used by electronic engineers to solve quickly differential

equations occurring in the analysis of electronic circuits.

2. System modeling:

Laplace Transform is used to simplify calculations in system modeling, where large

number of differential equations are used.
3. Digital signal processing:

One can not imagine solving digital signal processing problems without employing
Laplace Transform.

4. Nuclear Physics:

In order to get the true form of radioactive decay a Laplace Transform is used. It makes
easy to study analytic part of Nuclear physics possible.

5. Process Control:

Laplace Transform is used for process controls. It helps to analyze the variables which
when altered, produce desired manipulations in the result.

In Mechanical engineering field Laplace Transform is widely used to solve differential

equations occurring in mathematical modeling of mechanical system to find transfer
function of that particular system.

Theorem of Laplace Transform

1. the given hard problem is transferred into a simple equation ( subsidiary equation)

2. the subsidiary equation is solved by purely algebraic equations

3. the solution of the subsidiary equation is transformed back to obtain the solution of
the given problem

The method of Laplace Transforms has the advantage of directly giving the solution of
differential equations with given boundary values without the necessary of first finding
the general solution and then evaluating from it the arbitrary constants.

Moreover, the ready tables of Laplace Transforms reduce the problems of solving
differential equations to mere algebraic manipulation.
Some Elementary Functions f (t) and their Laplace transform, F(s)

f(t) ʆ = F(s)
1 1
𝑠
t 1
𝑠2

𝑡2 2!
𝑠3

𝑡𝑛 𝑛!
𝑠 𝑛+1

𝑒 ±𝑎𝑡 1
𝑠∓𝑎

sin 𝑤𝑡 𝑤
𝑠2 + 𝑤2

cos 𝑤𝑡 𝑠
𝑠2 + 𝑤2
sinh 𝑤𝑡 𝑤
𝑠 − 𝑤2
2

cosh 𝑤𝑡 𝑠
𝑠 − 𝑤2
2

𝑒 ±𝑎𝑡 sin 𝑤𝑡 𝑤
(𝑠 ∓ 𝑎)2 + 𝑤 2
𝑒 ±𝑎𝑡 cos 𝑤𝑡 𝑠∓𝑎
(𝑠 ∓ 𝑎)2 + 𝑤 2
Example 1: Find ʆ (2𝑡 + 3)

Solution: ʆ (2𝑡 + 3) = ʆ (2𝑡) + ʆ (3)

= 2 ʆ (t) + 3 ʆ (1)

1 1
= 2 (𝑠 2 ) + 3 ( 𝑠 )

𝟐 𝟑
ʆ (𝟐𝒕 + 𝟑) = 𝒔𝟐 + 𝒔

Example 2 : Find ʆ [𝑒 4𝑡 + 5]

Solution: ʆ (𝑒 4𝑡 + 5) = ʆ (𝑒 4𝑡 ) + ʆ (5)

1
=( )+ 5 ʆ (1)
𝑠−4

1 1
= ( ) + 5 (𝑠 )
𝑠−4

𝟏 𝟓
ʆ (𝒆𝟒𝒕 + 𝟓) = ( )+𝒔
𝒔−𝟒

Example 3: Find ʆ ( 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡) + ʆ (3𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑡)

Solution: ʆ ( 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡) + ʆ (3𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑡) = ʆ 2( 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡) + ʆ 3(𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝑡)
2 3𝑠
= +
𝑠 2+1 𝑠 2+4

Example 4 : Find ʆ [3𝑒 4𝑡 − 𝑒 −2𝑡 ]

Solution: ʆ [3𝑒 4𝑡 − 𝑒 −2𝑡 ] = ʆ 𝟑(𝑒 4𝑡 ) − ʆ(𝑒 −2𝑡 )

𝟑 𝟏
= -
𝒔−𝟒 𝒔 +𝟐