Mechanism of charge interaction?

[Sharky]

One of the core concepts in electric field theory is that charges exert a force on one another: a positive charge "pushes out," and a negative charges "pulls in."

What is the mechanism by which charges interact with one another? How does one charge "feel" the presence of another?

 

[tiny-tim]

What is the mechanism by which charges interact with one another? How does one charge "feel" the presence of another?

Hi Sharky!

I think the official view is that charges only feel the field, and its gradient … they don't know what's causing the field.