How do electrostatic forces follow the principle of superposition?

[lamp post]

about electro static waves

what is meant by the statement that "electro static waves follow the principle of super position"

 

[Integral]

First of all, Electro STATIC waves do not exist. Waves are inherently dynamic in nature which conflicts with the term static. To say the electro magnetic potentials follow the superposition would make sense. This is just saying that electro static potentials add at a point. So if you have 2 separate charge distributions, the field (or potential) at a point distant from either charge would be the sum of the 2 contributing fields.

 

[lamp post]

what is meant by the statement that"electrostatic forces obey the principle of superposition"

 

[pmb_phy]

Originally posted by lamp post
what is meant by the statement that"electrostatic forces obey the principle of superposition"

Consider a test charge placed at R_t and two source charges, q₁ and q₂ placed at R₁ and R₂ respectivley. Let F_1t be the force that would be exerted on the test charge due to q₁ if q₂ were absent and let F_2t be the force that would be exerted on the test charge due to q₂ if q₁ were absent. Then the total force F_total on the test charge with both charges present is given by

$$\mathbf{F}_{total} = \mathbf{F}_{1} + \mathbf{F}_{2}$$

That is what is meant when it is said that the total force is the "superpostition" of the two forces.