Superposition Principle Demonstrator
Description
This MicroSim decomposes a circuit with two independent sources into two sub-circuits, each with one source active and the other replaced by its internal resistance (voltage source → short, current source → open). The contribution of each source to the selected branch current or node voltage is shown separately, and the superposition sum is compared to the full-circuit result. Toggle sources on and off to build intuition.
Key Concepts
- Superposition states that in a linear circuit, any response (voltage or current) equals the sum of responses caused by each independent source acting alone.
- To isolate one source: replace all other voltage sources with short circuits and current sources with open circuits.
- Superposition applies only to linear circuits — it cannot be used directly for power (which is quadratic in V or I).
- The principle is powerful for circuits with multiple sources and for analyzing sensitivity to individual sources.
- Superposition is the basis for transfer functions, convolution, and Fourier analysis in AC and signal theory.