Question

Explain the principle behind superposition.

Answer 1

Principle of Superposition:

1. The principle of superposition states that the interaction between any two charges is completely unaffected by the presence of others.
2. This means that to determine the force on $Q$, we can first compute the force $F_1$, due to $q_1$ alone, then we compute the force $F_2$, due to $q_2$ alone, and so on.
3. Finally, we take the vector sum of all these individual forces: $F=F_1+F_2+F_3.....$
4. Thus, if we can find the force on $Q$ due to a single source charge $q_{}$, we are applying the principle of superposition.