Superposition principle

This topic covers the Superposition Principle

The Main Idea

The net electric field due to two or more charges is the vector sum of each field due to each individual charge. This not only applies to Electric Fields, but Magnetic Fields as well. It is important to note that in the superposition principle, the electric field caused by a charge is not affected by the presence of other charges.

[math]\displaystyle{ F(x_1+x_2)=F(x_1)+F(x_2) \, }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ F(a x)=a F(x) \, }[/math] 

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

Examples

Simple

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  This picture shows the electric field at the location of q3. Note that the Electric Fields of both q1 and q2 were both calculated individually (but do not react because of one another) and summed up to get the net electric field

Connectedness

How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?

• The Superposition Principle is important because it makes your life easier in Physics. You can make assumptions based on the fact that the net field at any location is equal to the sum of all the invidiual fields. You don't know one of the individual fields, but know the net field? Simple subtraction can help you calculate each individual field. Imagine if all Electric Fields influenced each other? It'd be really difficult to calculate net electric fields without a complicated equation that takes into account one field as a function of another. yuck. Thank the Physics Gods for the Superposition Principle.

How is it connected to your major?

• Since the Superposition Principle can be applied to circuits, and since Biomedical Engineering sometimes create medical device that require circuity, knowing how to create a circuit and calculate the electric field with the superposition principle is an important tool to have.

Is there an interesting industrial application?

• In this study, the Superposition Principle was used to analyze Solar Cells.

History

Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

See also

• Coulomb's Law
• Electric Field
• Electric Dipole

External links

Instructional video on how to calculate the net electric field using the superposition principle

References

Chabay, Ruth W.; Sherwood, Bruce A. (2014-12-23). Matter and Interactions, 4th Edition: 1-2 (Page 522). Wiley. Kindle Edition.

Fields