What happens between like charges and opposite charges?

The interaction between electric charges is grounded in the fundamental principles of electrostatics. Like charges, such as two positively charged objects or two negatively charged objects, experience a repulsive force; they push away from each other. Conversely, opposite charges, which consist of one positively charged and one negatively charged object, experience an attractive force; they are drawn towards each other.

This behavior is a direct consequence of the electric field created by each charge. The same type of charge generates a field that exerts a force on other like charges, resulting in repulsion. In contrast, the field produced by a positive charge will attract a negative charge, leading to attraction.

This principle is encapsulated in the specific phrase that like charges repel while opposite charges attract, clearly delineating the interactions based on the nature of the charges involved. Understanding this fundamental concept is critical in fields such as electrical engineering, physics, and various applications of electrical grid systems.