Objectives

1. To understand the concept of superposition theorem.

2. To be able to cope with more than one voltage source in a circuit.

3. To identify a linear circuit.

List of Instruments

1 piece VOM

1 set electronics trainer (feedback)

1 piece milliammeter (DC)

Wiring Diagram

A) Linearity

R 1= 1 K

R 2 = 4 7 0 R 3 = 6 8 0

V s

B) Superposition

R 1= 1 K

R 2 = 4 7 0 R 3 = 6 8 0

1 5 V 5 V
Data Sheet

A)

Source V1 (volts) I1 (mA)

5 4.07 4
10 8.06 8
15 12.12 12

B)

15 V 5V V1 V2 V3 I1 I2 I3
Measured ON ON 10.58 4.33 -0.7 10.5 11.5 -1
values ON OFF 12.02 2.894 2.894 12 7.7 4.2
OFF ON 1.418 1.425 -3.55 -1.4 3.8 -5.2
Calculated
10.602 4.319 -0.656 10.6 11.5 -1
values

Problem and Solution

V1 = V1’ + V1’’ = 12.02 – 1.418 = 10.602 V

V2 = V2’ + V2’’ = 2.894 + 1.425 = 4.319 V

V3 = V3’ + V3’’ = 2.894 – 3.55 = -0.656 V

I1 = I1’ + I1’’ = 12 – 1.4 = 10.60 mA

I2 = I2’ + I2’’ = 7.7 + 3.8 = 11.5 mA

I3 = I3’ + I3’’ = 4.2 – 5.2 = -1 mA

Analysis

We can say that the relationship between current (input) and voltage (output) is
linear for a resistor when it satisfies the following conditions: (1) the response to a sum of
inputs is equal to the sum of the individual responses (output). (2) If the excitation is
scaled by the constant K in “R(Ki) = K(Ri) = Kv’, then the response is also scaled by K.
The algebraic sum of voltages or current caused by each independent source
acting alone is equal to the total voltage or current caused by all sources acting together.
This law had been proven for the second circuit with an infinitesimal change in values.
Conclusion

By also using an alternative Ohm’s law (I = V/R), we can show that the
relationship between voltage (excitation) and current (response) is also linear for a
resistor.
The concept, known as the principle of superposition is a direct consequence of
the linearity property of circuits.