How did you decide which scenarios superposition can be useful for describing? N

Question

How did you decide which scenarios superposition can be useful for describing? Name another situation where the principles of superposition could be useful?

The principle of superposition can be stated: "the net response at a given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses that would have been caused by each stimulus individually." For each of the following, say whether you think the principle of superposition would help you to accomplish the task. Determining the electric field at the center of a ring of charges Determining the magnetic field between two current-carrying wires Determining the color of light on a region of a screen where the light from two sources a red LED and a green LED meets Determining the color of mixed red and yellow house paint Predicting the behavior of water waves How did you decide which scenarios superposition can be useful for describing? Name another situation where the principle of superposition could be useful.

Explanation / Answer

Hi,

One needs to use superposition principle is when you need to know the total effect of more than one cause. For example, when you need to find the contribution made by each one the factors then you need to use superposition principle.

In all of the above cases you need to know the contribution of more than one cause and hence you need to use superposition principle.

1. You need to use the contribution of each small segment of ring carrying charge to find the net electric field at the center.

2. You need to use the magnetic field by both the wire to find the effect at one point.

3. Color of LEDs will also need to be superimposed.

4. Mixing red and yellow house color.

5. Predicting the behavior of water waves you need to use all the wavelets and their effect.

So you need to use superposition principle in all the above cases.

Another situation where you can use superposition principle is potluck party. There everyone will have their own contribution and for summarizing the event you need to use superposition principle to appreciate everyone's contribution for making the party fun.

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