Superposition Principle

Superposition Principle

• It states that if more than one force act on an object, then the combined effect due to all the forces is the vector addition of all the individual effects.

• If forces   act on an object, then the net effect can be represented by a single force called the resultant which will be vector addition of the given forces i.e.,

• To find resultant of two forces in a plane, one can use resolution and composition of forces in rectangular components, triangle law or parallelogram law.

• For more than two vectors either resolution and composition of forces in rectangular components or the polygon law of forces can be used.

• If a force having same magnitude as resultant force but opposite direction is applied on the particle, the particle will remain in equilibrium. This force, which has same magnitude as resultant force but opposite direction is called equilibrant.