Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2009 / ib / Paper 3 / 6A / Solution

With $\Re \alpha <0$, the causal exponential is integrable and its Fourier transform isFor the pendulum system, a transfer function is the Fourier transform of its causal impulse response, equivalently the multiplier relating the transformed forcing to the transformed zero-initial-data response. Transforming derivatives givesPartial fractions therefore giveThe exponential transform identifies the causal response as $R(t)=\frac{1}{2}{e}^{-t}\sin 2t$ for $t>0$ and zero for $t<0$. It solves the homogeneous equation for $t>0$, with $R(0^{+})=0$ and $R^{\prime }(0^{+})=1$, the jump required by a unit impulse. The forcing is understood as switched on at zero; its transform is $1/(i\omega +4)$, and convolution with $R$ gives, if the time response is wanted,This has both stated initial values equal to zero.