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.

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1.Easy
linear circuitV1​ = 24 VV2​ = 24 VIRL​

A linear resistive circuit contains two independent voltage sources, V1 = 24 V and V2 = 24 V. With both sources on, the current through the load resistor is I = 5 mA. With V2 switched off (replaced by a short circuit) and V1 unchanged, the load current is 0.5 mA. Find the load current I when V1 is switched off and only V2 = 24 V is active.

I = 5 mA (both sources)I = 0.5 mA (only V1)
I = mA
2.Easy
linear circuitV1​ = 20 VV2​ = 10 VIRL​

A linear resistive circuit contains two independent voltage sources, V1 = 20 V and V2 = 10 V. With both sources on, the current through the load resistor is I = 26.5 mA. With V2 switched off (replaced by a short circuit) and V1 unchanged, the load current is 11 mA. Find the load current I when V1 is switched off and only V2 = 10 V is active.

I = 26.5 mA (both sources)I = 11 mA (only V1)
I = mA
3.Medium
R1​ = 3 ΩR3​ = 4 ΩIR3​+−V1​24 VR2​15 ΩAR4​12 ΩBIs​3 A

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

V1 = 24 VIs = 3 AR1 = 3 ΩR2 = 15 ΩR3 = 4 ΩR4 = 12 Ω
IR3 = 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 = 12 V and Is = 8 mA, I = 14.4 mA; with Vs = 5 V and Is = 10 mA, I = 10 mA. Find the load current I when Vs = 20 V and Is = 3 mA.

12 V, 8 mA → 14.4 mA5 V, 10 mA → 10 mAVs = 20 V, Is = 3 mA
I = mA
5.Hard
R1​ = 20 ΩR2​ = 5 ΩR4​ = 20 ΩIR4​+−V1​15 VR3​25 ΩAIs​2.5 AB+−V2​12 V

Use superposition to find the power PR4 absorbed by R4.

V1 = 15 VIs = 2.5 AV2 = 12 VR1 = 20 ΩR2 = 5 ΩR3 = 25 ΩR4 = 20 Ω
PR4 = W
6.Hard
R1​ = 25 ΩR2​ = 6 Ω−+VR2​R4​ = 2 Ω+−V1​12 VR3​20 ΩAIs​5 AB+−V2​18 V

Use superposition to find the voltage VR2 across R2 with the polarity shown.

V1 = 12 VIs = 5 AV2 = 18 VR1 = 25 ΩR2 = 6 ΩR3 = 20 ΩR4 = 2 Ω
VR2 = V

Answer key

  1. 1. I = 4.5 mA
  2. 2. I = 15.5 mA
  3. 3. IR3 = 0.8649 A
  4. 4. I = 17.8 mA
  5. 5. PR4 = 20.56 W
  6. 6. VR2 = 7.116 V

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