everyone. I am trying to solve the following differential equation using the Laplace Transform:
$$L\frac{di}{dt} + Ri = E$$
I have managed to reduce it to the following equation:
$$I(s) = \frac{E}{sL(s+R/L)}$$
But I'm having a problem with it from there. Can somebody help me solve this please? Any help would be much appreciated.
Best Answer
Your equation has a very simple solution given by
$$i(t)=Ae^{-\frac{R}{L}t}+\frac{E}{R}$$
being $A$ an arbitrary constant. Now, take a look at your Laplace transform
$$I(s)=\frac{E}{sL\left(s+\frac{R}{L}\right)}$$
and you will recognize two poles for $s=0$ and $s=-\frac{R}{L}$. The first pole will give rise to the constant term while the other one is just the exponential contribution. Indeed, here you can find a table of well-known transformed functions. This is essential in circuit analysis. Your case is the "exponential approach".