Question

Write a short note on superposition principle.

Answer 1

1. The superposition principle explains the interaction of multiple charges.
2. The total force acting on a given charge is equal to the vector sum of forces exerted on it by all the other charges.
3. The force on q₁ exerted by the charge q <2 is `vec "F"_12 = "K" ("q"_1"q"_2)/"r"_21^2  hat"r"_21`
4. The force on q₁ exerted by the charge q<3 is `vec "F"_13 = "K" ("q"_1"q"_3)/"r"_31^2  hat"r"_31`
5. `vec "F"_1^"tot" = "K" {("q"_1"q"_2)/"r"_21^2  hat"r"_21 + ("q"_1"q"_3)/"r"_31 + ... ("q"_1"q"_"n")/"r"_("n"_"i")  hat"r"_("n"_"i")}`