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Dirac Delta Lecture

The document defines and discusses properties of the Dirac delta function δ(t). It is defined as the derivative of the unit step function u0(t), which is 0 for t < 0 and 1 for t ≥ 0. While not a true function, δ(t) is useful for representing instantaneous forces. Its key property is that the integral of f(t)δ(t) from -∞ to ∞ equals f(0) for any function f such that f(-∞) = f(∞) = 0. The document also introduces the shifted delta function δ(t - c) and gives properties and examples of evaluating integrals involving delta functions.

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86 views3 pages

Dirac Delta Lecture

The document defines and discusses properties of the Dirac delta function δ(t). It is defined as the derivative of the unit step function u0(t), which is 0 for t < 0 and 1 for t ≥ 0. While not a true function, δ(t) is useful for representing instantaneous forces. Its key property is that the integral of f(t)δ(t) from -∞ to ∞ equals f(0) for any function f such that f(-∞) = f(∞) = 0. The document also introduces the shifted delta function δ(t - c) and gives properties and examples of evaluating integrals involving delta functions.

Uploaded by

MD HASAN
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Dirac Delta Function ((t))

Lecture Notes: Monday, June 1


We want a function which represents an instanteous force. For example when you hit a
billard ball with a cue stick, you impart a force on the system that immediately disappears
after the hit.

Definition 1. (Delta Function) In this class, we define the delta function as (t) =
u00 (t) where
(
0 t<0
u0 (t) =
.
1 0t<

Remark:
(a) u0 (t) is NOT differentiable at 0. Everywhere, but at 0, u00 (t) = 0, and so we define
u00 (0) = .
(b) Because u0 (t) is not differentiable, (t) is not a function. In fact, it is called a
generalized function.
*A generalized function inputs functions and outputs a real value. We will see in the
case of the -function that (f ) = f (0).
With this definition in mind, we think of the function as
(
0 t 6= 0
(t) =
.
t=0
Remark: This definition agrees with the previous one for the derivative of the heavyside
function except at 0 is 0 and we could define the derivative at 0 to be .

Properties of the function


Property 1:
Z

(t) dt = 1.

Proof.
Z

(t) dt =

u00 (t) dt

= u0 () u0 ()
definition of heavyside

= 1 0 = 1.

Observe that if (t) were a function and equaled to 0 everywhere except at 0 and at 0,
how could the area under this function equal to 1? This is one reason why (t) is not a
function.

Property 2 (Most Important):


Suppose f (t) is a function such that f () = f () = 0. Then
Z
f (t)(t) dt = f (0).

Most people define the function based on this property.


Proof.
Z

u00 (t)f (t) dt

Z


= u0 (t)f (t)

(t)f (t) dt =

IBP

u0 (t)f 0 (t) dt
Z
= 1 f () 0 f ()
f 0 (t) dt
0

= f (t) 0 = f () + f (0) = f (0).

Example 1. Evaluate
Z

(t 1)3 (t) dt.

Solution:

(t 1)3 (t) dt

Prop. 2

(0 1)3 = 1.

Definition 2. (The Shifted Delta Function) The shifted delta function c (t) or (t c)
is
(t c) = u0c (t).

Like the function, one can think of the shifted delta function as
(
0
t 6= c
(t c) =
.
t=c
Properties of the shifted delta function:
Property 1:
Z
(t c) dt = 1.

Property 2:
Suppose f is a function such that f () = f () = 0. Then
Z
f (t)(t c) dt = f (c).

Example 2. Evaluate
Z

(t 1)3 (t 2) dt.

Solution:

(t 1)3 delta(t 2) dt = (2 1)3 = 1.

Example 3. Evaluate
Z

cos(t)(t ) t2 (t 4) dt.

Solution:

cos(t)(t ) t2 (t 4) dt = cos() (4)2 = 17.

Laplace Transform
Suppose c 0. Then


L (t c) = esc .

Proof.


L{(t c)} = L u0c (t)
by def.


Derivative rule = sL uc (t) + uc (0)
#12 on Table

=s

esc
0 = esc .
s

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