Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ia / Paper 2 / 5C / b / Solution

The PDF gives $V=H(t)$, the Heaviside step function; the TeX incorrectly changes this to $V=I(t)$. A unit voltage step has derivative the Dirac delta function, so the current is the causal Green function for $L{d}^2/d{t}^2+Rd/dt+1/C$.

The current must be continuous at zero: a jump would create a delta derivative through $L{I}^{\prime \prime }$, absent on the right-hand side. Integrating across zero therefore gives $L[I^{\prime }]+R[I]=1$, so $I(0^{+})=0$ and $I^{\prime }(0^{+})=1/L$. PutThese distinct negative characteristic roots give the overdamped RLC responseTogether with $I(t)=0$ for $t<0$, this solves the step response. The eventual current is zero: the capacitor charges and blocks steady current in the series RLC circuit.