When charged objects are placed near neutral objects, the neutral objects can become polarized. Polarization occurs when the positive charges in the neutral object are attracted to the negatively charged object, and the negative charges in the neutral object are attracted to the positively charged object. This causes the neutral object to develop a slight separation of charges, with one end becoming slightly positive and the other end becoming slightly negative.

The degree of polarization depends on the strength of the electric field created by the charged objects and the polarizability of the neutral object. Polarizable objects are those that have loosely bound electrons that can be easily displaced, while non-polarizable objects have tightly bound electrons that are not easily displaced.

Polarization is an important phenomenon in many areas of physics and chemistry, including electromagnetism, optics, and surface science.