principle of superposition

noun

, Physics.

1. any of several physical laws that the resultant of similar vector quantities at a point is a function of the sum of the individual quantities, especially the law that the displacement at a point in a medium undergoing simple harmonic motion is equal to the sum of the displacements of each individual wave.

Example Sentences

Take the “principle of superposition,” which holds that things at the subatomic level can be literally two places at once.

From New York Times

By the principle of superposition the whole effect may be found by integration of the partial effects due to each element of the surface, the other elements remaining at rest.

From Project Gutenberg