Superposition theorem

In a linear circuit with multiple independent sources, the voltage or current response equals the sum of responses produced by each source acting alone, with other independent sources deactivated.

Linearity: A property of systems in which scaled and summed inputs produce correspondingly scaled and summed outputs. The theorem works because circuit responses obey scaling and addition.
Kirchhoff's circuit laws: The current and voltage conservation rules governing electrical networks. Superposition is applied to circuit equations built from these conservation laws.
Nodal analysis: A circuit-analysis method that solves for node voltages using current conservation. Applying one source at a time can simplify the nodal equations for a chosen voltage.
Nonlinear circuit: A circuit whose voltage-current relations are not linear over the operating range. Its responses generally cannot be found by adding separate source contributions.
Independent source: A circuit source whose voltage or current is specified independently of other circuit variables. Each independent source is activated in turn while the others are deactivated.
Ohm's law: The relation between voltage, current, and resistance in an ohmic conductor. Resistive circuits obey a linear voltage-current relation that supports superposition.
Mesh analysis: A circuit-analysis method that solves for currents circulating around independent loops. Separate source cases can make loop-current equations easier to solve.
Maximum power transfer theorem: A theorem identifying the load condition that maximizes power delivered by a source network. It addresses load optimization rather than decomposing circuit responses.
Ideal voltage source: A circuit element that maintains a specified voltage regardless of the current it supplies. Deactivating an ideal voltage source sets its voltage to zero, making it a short circuit.
Voltage: The electric potential difference between two points. Voltage is one of the circuit responses that can be calculated source by source.

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