Laplace Transform - what are some applications?

[dzimitry]

Hey guys,

I have to do a presentation for my class on the laplace transform and need to know some applications. But so far, all I can find is electrical circuit applications, not much else. So if you guys know of any others tell me about them!

thanks in advance!

 

[marcusl]

They can be used to solve differential equations, and, therefore, any physical problem described by DE's. Carslaw and Jaeger have a book called "Operational Methods in Applied Mathematics" where the Operational Method is Laplace transforms. Apart from electrical applications, they list the following applications in the table of contents:

Ordinary Linear DE's:
Dynamical Applications

Linear Partial DE's
Conduction of Heat
Vibrations of Continuous Mechanical Systems
Hydrodynamics