When two objects with unlike charges (one positive, one negative) are brought near each other, the electric field lines rearrange to connect the two charges directly.

Quick Scoop

  • Electric field lines always start on the positive charge and end on the negative charge.
  • As the unlike charges move closer, lines that previously spread out into space bend and re-route so that many of them go straight from the positive to the negative charge.
  • Between the charges, the field lines are dense and fairly straight, showing a strong, nearly uniform attraction in that region.
  • Outside the region between them, the lines curve around, reflecting the combined influence of both charges in space.
  • The closer and more equal the charges are, the more the pattern looks like a “bridge” of lines arching directly from + to −, forming what is called a dipole field.

In simple terms: bring a positive and a negative charge near each other, and the field lines “hook up” from + to −, crowding between them to show the strong attraction.

TL;DR: The electric field lines bend and concentrate to run from the positive object directly to the negative object, becoming denser and stronger between them, which represents the attractive force.

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