The principle of superposition and the boundaries of its application

superposition principle is characterized in that it is found in many areas of physics.It is a position which is used in some cases.This is one of the general laws of physics on which the physics as a science.That's what he is notable for scientists who use it in different situations.

If we consider the superposition principle in a very general sense, according to him, the sum of external forces acting on the particle is composed of the individual values ​​for each of them.

This principle applies to various linear systems, ieSuch systems whose behavior can be described by linear equations.An example would be a simple situation where the linear wave propagates in any particular environment, in which case its properties are maintained even under the effect of disturbances arising from the wave.These properties are defined as the specific amount of each of the effects of harmonious components.

Applications

As already mentioned, the principle of superposition is quite broad in scope.Its effect is most clearly seen in electrodynamics.However, it is important to remember that considering the principle of superposition, physics does not consider its particular postulate, namely the result of the theory of electrodynamics.

example, electrostatics, this principle operates in the study of the electrostatic field.The system of charges at a particular point creates a tension, which will be the sum of the field strengths of each of the charge.This output is used in practice, because it can be used to calculate the potential energy of electrostatic interaction.In this case it is necessary to calculate the potential energy of each individual charge.

This is confirmed Maxwell's equation, which is linear in a vacuum.It also follows from the fact that light is not scattered, and extends linearly, thus some rays do not interact with each other.In physics, this phenomenon is often called the principle of superposition in optics.

It should also be noted that in classical physics superposition principle follows from the linearity of the equations of motion of certain linear systems is therefore an approximation.It is based on deep dynamic principles, but it does not approximate a universal and fundamental.

particularly strong gravitational field is described by other equations, nonlinear, and therefore the principle can not be applied in these situations.Macroscopic electromagnetic field is also not subject to this principle, as it depends on the influence of external fields.

However, the principle of superposition of forces is fundamental in quantum physics.If elsewhere it is used with some errors, then working at the quantum level quite accurately.Any quantum-mechanical system is represented by wave functions and vectors of a linear space, and if it is subject to a linear function, its state is determined by the principle of superposition, that is,It consists of a superposition of each state and the wave function.

The scope rather relative.The equations of classical electrodynamics linear, but it is not a basic rule.Most of the fundamental theories of physics are built on non-linear equations.This means that the principle of superposition in them will not be executed, here include the general theory of relativity, quantum chromodynamics, and the Yang-Mills theory.

In some systems, where linear principles apply only in part, it may provisionally applied the principle of superposition, for example, weak gravitational interactions.Furthermore, when considering the interaction of atoms and molecules as the principle of superposition is not retained, this explains the variety of physical and chemical properties of materials.