4. Differential Equations and the Laplace Transform

Why?

Differential equations arise in thermal analysis (as in Solar I) and to describe water waves (as in the Water Power module). You will not be expected to solve differential equations as part of the course but it is important that you understand where the presented solutions come from, and the role of boundary conditions. Laplace Transforms are not explicitly used in the MSc but they do underpin basic control analysis.

What?

4.1 First-order equations

4.2 Second-order equations

4.3 The Laplace transform

Definitions