Potential Superposition Audit - Electric Fields & Electrostatics Step by Step

Potential also uses superposition, but each contribution is a signed scalar voltage rather than a left-right arrow.

Example

Potential also uses superposition, but each contribution is a signed scalar voltage rather than a left-right arrow. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Potential is a signed scalar

Potential at a point also uses superposition, but there is no arrow to add. Each source contributes a signed voltage at point P.

V_{\text{net}} = V_{\text{left at }P} + V_{\text{right at }P}

Record the positive contribution

The positive source contributes 6 volts at point P.

V_{\text{left at }P} = 6\ \text{V}

Record the negative contribution

The negative source contributes -4 volts at the same point. The minus sign is part of the scalar ledger.

V_{\text{right at }P} = -4\ \text{V}

Add signed voltages

The net potential is 6 volts plus -4 volts, leaving 2 volts at point P.

V_{\text{net}} = 6\ \text{V} + -4\ \text{V} = 2\ \text{V}

Three rows show how cancellation differs from arrows

Keep the left contribution at 6 volts and scan three right-source contributions. No direction arrow is being added; only signed scalar amounts are added.

\begin{array}{c|c|c}V_{\text{left}}&V_{\text{right}}&V_{\text{net}}\\6\ \text{V}&2\ \text{V}&8\ \text{V}\\6\ \text{V}&-4\ \text{V}&2\ \text{V}\\6\ \text{V}&-6\ \text{V}&0\ \text{V}\\\end{array}

electrostatics Add scalar voltage contributions at one point, keeping the sign but not drawing a direction arrow.