How do electrostatic forces follow the principle of superposition?

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Electrostatic waves are a misnomer, as waves are dynamic, while electrostatic forces are static. The principle of superposition applies to electrostatic potentials, meaning that the potentials from multiple charge distributions combine at a point. For a test charge influenced by two source charges, the total force is the vector sum of the individual forces exerted by each charge. This demonstrates that electrostatic forces obey the principle of superposition, where the total force is the result of the contributions from each source charge. Understanding this principle is crucial for analyzing electrostatic interactions in various contexts.
lamp post
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about electro static waves

what is meant by the statement that "electro static waves follow the principle of super position"
 
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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.
 
what is meant by the statement that"electrostatic forces obey the principle of superposition"
 
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 Rt and two source charges, q1 and q2 placed at R1 and R2 respectivley. Let F1t be the force that would be exerted on the test charge due to q1 if q2 were absent and let F2t be the force that would be exerted on the test charge due to q2 if q1 were absent. Then the total force Ftotal 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.
 
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