What does the principle of superposition in circuits state?

The principle of superposition in circuits states that in a linear circuit containing multiple independent sources (such as voltage or current sources), the total response (voltage or current) at any component in the circuit can be determined by algebraically summing the responses caused by each independent source acting alone, while all other independent sources are replaced by their internal resistances.

This means that if you want to analyze the impact of each source separately, you can effectively isolate one source at a time and calculate the contribution it makes to the overall circuit response. When all individual responses are summed together, the result will give the total response of the circuit. This principle is particularly useful because it simplifies the analysis of complex circuits by breaking them down into more manageable parts, where each part can be studied individually.

When considering the context of the other options, the first choice suggests a proportional relationship but does not capture the essence of how multiple sources are combined. The third option about the current remaining constant doesn't relate directly to superposition, as it pertains to circuit laws rather than the superposition principle itself. The last option implies that certain voltages can be ignored, which contradicts the idea of analyzing responses due to individual sources. Therefore, the principle of superposition effectively emphasizes