ME311(S1) Monsoon 2019

Practice Problem Set 1 (Max Points: 20)

1. Write down equations governing the relationship between the input and output variables for the
block diagrams shown below. You can leave the relationship in the form of an ODE (no need to
solve the ODE). (Note: There are only three kind of blocks performing one of three operations,
namely, addition/subtraction of multiple input signals, multiplication of input signal with a
scalar, integration of input signal).

a. [3 points]

b. [3 points]

c. [4 points]
2. Consider the LCR circuit shown below:

a. [1 point] Derive a differential equation governing the flow of current I(t) in the LCR circuit
under an input voltage V(t).
b. [3 points] Using only the three types of blocks you saw in the first problem, draw a block
diagram corresponding to the LCR system.

3. [4 points] Recall that in class we wrote down a PD controller for tracking position of a mass
moving in a single direction with a control force acting on it. We also derived the error dynamics
under the action of the PD controller to be ̈ + ̇+ = 0, where & areas
proportional and derivative constants in your controller and is the error in the position of the
mass. Prove that for any values of , > 0 the error will go to zero as time approaches infinity
irrespective of initial errors.

4. [2 points] Recall that in case of an operational amplifier the feedback drives the voltage
difference across the two input terminals of the operational amplifier to zero. Knowing that the
operational amplifier just amplifies the potential difference across its two input terminal, explain
(in a few sentences) how there was non-zero voltage at the output of the amplifier even though
we are saying that feedback is driving the input potential difference to zero.