Using definition of Laplace transform in determining Laplace of a step function

[shorty1]

I have a question that has stumped me a bit, i am not sure how to use the definition to calculate it, i can use the tables, but i don't think that's what is needed.

Using the definition of the Laplace transform, View attachment 153 determine the Laplace transform of

View attachment 154

I can do it with the table but i am not sure how to to this using the definition.

Help please?

 

[Chris L T521]

I have a question that has stumped me a bit, i am not sure how to use the definition to calculate it, i can use the tables, but i don't think that's what is needed.

Using the definition of the Laplace transform, https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/153 determine the Laplace transform of

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/154

I can do it with the table but i am not sure how to to this using the definition.

Help please?

We can break up the integral into two parts since $f(t)$ is a piecewise function:

\[\mathcal{L}[f(t)] = \int_0^{\infty}e^{-st}f(t)\,dt=\int_0^2 e^{-st}0\,dt + \int_2^{\infty}e^{-st}t\,dt = \int_2^{\infty}te^{-st}\,dt.\]

This should now be a relatively simple improper integral to compute.

Can you take it from here?

 

[shorty1]

Thank you, but I got that far into the separation, but I wasn't sure how to proceed from there, my integrals kept repeating when I tried it by parts, and I wasn't getting anything to substitute to use that wasn't still leaving me with multiple variables to integrate. ...

 

[Chris L T521]

Thank you, but I got that far into the separation, but I wasn't sure how to proceed from there, my integrals kept repeating when I tried it by parts, and I wasn't getting anything to substitute to use that wasn't still leaving me with multiple variables to integrate. ...

In this case, you only need to apply integration by parts once. Let $u=t$, $dv=e^{-st}dt$; thus $du=dt$ and $v=-\dfrac{e^{-st}}{s}$. Plugging this into the integration by parts formula, we have

\[\int_2^{\infty}te^{-st}\,dt = \lim\limits_{b\to\infty}\left.\left[-\frac{te^{-st}}{s}\right]\right|_2^b + \frac{1}{s}\int_2^{\infty}e^{-st}\,dt=\ldots\]

Can you take it from here?

 

[blue_raver22]

Hi there,

The definition of the Laplace transform is an integral that takes a function of time and transforms it into a function of complex frequency. In order to determine the Laplace transform of a step function, we can use the following steps:

1. Write out the step function as a piecewise function, with one part being the step function itself and the other part being 0 for all values of time t less than the step function's value.

2. Apply the definition of the Laplace transform to each part of the piecewise function, using the limits of integration from 0 to infinity.

3. Simplify the resulting integral using integration techniques, such as u-substitution or integration by parts.

4. Finally, evaluate the integral at the limits of integration to get the Laplace transform of the step function.

I understand that this process may seem intimidating, but with practice, it can become easier. If you are more comfortable using tables, that is also a valid approach. However, it is important to understand the underlying concepts and definitions of the Laplace transform in order to fully grasp its applications and use it effectively in problem-solving. I hope this helps and good luck with your calculations!