Superposition worksheet with answers

Free printable Superposition worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
linear circuitV1​ = 6 VV2​ = 20 VIRL​

A linear resistive circuit contains two independent voltage sources, V1 = 6 V and V2 = 20 V. With both sources on, the current through the load resistor is I = −7.5 mA. With V2 switched off (replaced by a short circuit) and V1 unchanged, the load current is 11.5 mA. Find the load current I when V1 is raised to 12 V and V2 stays at 20 V.

I = −7.5 mA (both sources)I = 11.5 mA (only V1)
I = mA
2.Easy
R1​ = 4 ΩR2​ = 4 Ω+−V1​12 VR3​5 ΩIR3​A+−V2​18 V

Use superposition to find the current IR3 through R3 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 12 VV2 = 18 VR1 = 4 ΩR2 = 4 ΩR3 = 5 Ω
IR3 = A
3.Medium
R1​ = 5 ΩR3​ = 2 Ω+−V1​30 VR2​4 ΩIR2​AR4​15 ΩBIs​3 A

Use superposition to find the current IR2 through R2 in the direction of the arrow.

V1 = 30 VIs = 3 AR1 = 5 ΩR2 = 4 ΩR3 = 2 ΩR4 = 15 Ω
IR2 = A
4.Medium
linear circuitVs​Is​IRL​

A linear resistive circuit contains one voltage source Vs and one current source Is. The current I through a load resistor is measured twice: with Vs = 6 V and Is = 4 mA, I = 14.4 mA; with Vs = 10 V and Is = 10 mA, I = 26 mA. Find the load current I when Vs = 20 V and Is = 4 mA.

6 V, 4 mA → 14.4 mA10 V, 10 mA → 26 mAVs = 20 V, Is = 4 mA
I = mA
5.Hard
linear circuitV1​V2​Is​IRL​

A linear resistive circuit contains three independent sources: V1, V2 and Is. The current I through a load is measured three times. With all sources at their normal values, I = 16.5 mA. With V1 doubled and the other two unchanged, I = 17.5 mA. With the direction of Is reversed and the other two unchanged, I = 7.5 mA. Find the load current I when V2 is switched off and V1 and Is have their normal values.

normal: I = 16.5 mA2·V1: I = 17.5 mA−Is: I = 7.5 mA
I = mA
6.Hard
R1​ = 10 ΩR2​ = 25 ΩR4​ = 10 Ω+−V1​10 VR3​25 Ω+−VR3​AIs​2 AB+−V2​6 V

Use superposition to find the voltage VR3 across R3 with the polarity shown.

V1 = 10 VIs = 2 AV2 = 6 VR1 = 10 ΩR2 = 25 ΩR3 = 25 ΩR4 = 10 Ω
VR3 = V

Answer key

  1. 1. I = 4 mA
  2. 2. IR3 = 2.143 A
  3. 3. IR2 = −4.249 A
  4. 4. I = 42.4 mA
  5. 5. I = 5.5 mA
  6. 6. VR3 = 10.34 V

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.