A charged object creates an electric field around itself. The electric field is strongest close to the charged object. The further away from the charged object, the weaker the field. • A second charged object placed in the field experiences a force. The force gets stronger as the distance between the objects decreases. • Students should be able to: draw the electric field pattern for an isolated charged sphere • explain the concept of an electric field • explain how the concept of an electric field helps to explain the non-contact force between charged objects as well as other electrostatic phenomena such as sparking.