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0 - Application of Laplace Transforms in Nuclear Physics

The document discusses the application of Laplace transforms in nuclear physics. Specifically, it explains that Laplace transforms can be used to transform differential equations describing radioactive decay into algebraic equations that are easier to solve. As an example, it shows how taking the Laplace transform of the fundamental differential equation for radioactive decay yields the standard exponential decay formula for the number of radioactive atoms over time. In summary, Laplace transforms simplify the analysis of radioactive decay by converting differential equations into more tractable algebraic forms.

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2K views2 pages

0 - Application of Laplace Transforms in Nuclear Physics

The document discusses the application of Laplace transforms in nuclear physics. Specifically, it explains that Laplace transforms can be used to transform differential equations describing radioactive decay into algebraic equations that are easier to solve. As an example, it shows how taking the Laplace transform of the fundamental differential equation for radioactive decay yields the standard exponential decay formula for the number of radioactive atoms over time. In summary, Laplace transforms simplify the analysis of radioactive decay by converting differential equations into more tractable algebraic forms.

Uploaded by

AsifJaved
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Application of Laplace Transforms in Nuclear

Physics
Introduction of Laplace Transforms
A Laplace transform is an extremely diverse function that can transform a real
function of time t to one in the complex plane s, referred to as the frequency
domain. It is related to the Fourier transform, but they serve different purposes.
Also, the Laplace transform is second only to the Fourier transform in terms of
being used in many different situations. Another thing to note is that the Laplace
transform is a complex transform of a complex variable, while the Fourier
transform is a complex transform of a real variable. This transform is also a
holomorphic function, meaning it isa
complex function that is complex
differentiable in every direction from its
position. The name of this transform
originatesfromaFrenchmathematician,
Pierre-Simon Laplace, receiving the
name in honor of the late great
mathematician due to him using avery
similar transform in his work. This one came to be known as the z-transform.
Studying the theory and application of Laplace transforms has become an
essential part of any curriculum involving mathematics such as engineering,
mathematics, physics, and many other branches of science like nuclear physics.
Eventhosegoingintofieldssuchaschemistrysometimesarerequiredtohavean
understandingofwhataLaplacetransformis.Themostlikelypeopletobeusing this
transform would be engineers due to its applications in circuits, in harmonic
oscillators and systems such as HVAC systems and many other types of systems
that deal with sinusoids and exponential. The primary use of this transform is to
change an ordinary differential equation in a real domain into an algebraic
equation in the complex domain, making the equation much easier to solve. The
subsequent solution that is found by solving the algebraic equation is then taken
andinvertedbyuseoftheinverseLaplacetransform,acquiringasolutionforthe
originaldifferentialequation,orODE.Thistransformhasbecomeanintegralpart of
society, even if it is not common knowledge, especially considering how
attached members of today's society are to their cell phones. The reason for this
being the Laplace transform is undoubtedly partially responsible for the device
working, as it is in many other types of two-way receivers. The Laplace
transform's applications are numerous, ranging from heating, ventilation, and air
conditioningsystemsmodelingtomodelingradioactivedecayinnuclearphysics.
Laplace Transforms in 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.
The following example is based on concepts
fromnuclearphysics.Considerthefollowing
first order linear differentialequation.
𝑑𝑑𝑁𝑁
= −λ𝑁𝑁
𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡
Thisequationisthefundamentalrelationship
describing radioactive decay, where
represents the number of under caredatoms
remaining in a sample of a radioactive isotope at time and is the decay constant.
We can use the Laplace Transform to solve this Equation.
𝑑𝑑𝑁𝑁
+ λ𝑁𝑁 =0
𝑑𝑑𝑡𝑡
Taking Laplace Transform on both sides,
sL[N]-N(0)+ λ𝐿𝐿[𝑁𝑁]
sN - N0 + λ𝑁𝑁
𝑁𝑁𝑜𝑜
N=
𝑠𝑠+λ

Now, Taking Inverse Laplace Transform on both sides, we get


N(t) = N0 e-λ𝑡𝑡
Which is indeed the correct form for radioactive decay

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