Charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in relativistic heavy-ion collisions and electromagnetic effects

We propose a scenario where the pattern of recently observed charge-dependent azimuthal correlations can be understood qualitatively. This is based on the cluster picture and on the assumption that the charged hadrons that flow outward from the surface of the overlapping region of colliding nuclei move primarily parallel to the reaction plane. We also point out that there is a strong electric field induced by the transient magnetic field during parton production in the initial phase of relativistic heavy-ion collisions, and we discuss its possible relevance to the scenario.