(N/A) The concept of electric field lines was introduced by Faraday to visualize electric fields around charged configurations. Faraday referred to them as lines of force.
The figures illustrate the field lines around various simple charge configurations. Although the figures represent them in a $2$-dimensional plane,these field lines actually exist in $3$-dimensional space.
$1$. For a positive point charge $(q > 0)$,field lines point radially outward.
$2$. For a negative point charge $(q < 0)$,field lines point radially inward.
$3$. For two positive charges,the field lines repel each other.
$4$. For an electric dipole (positive and negative charge),field lines originate from the positive charge and terminate at the negative charge.
$5$. For two negative charges,the field lines are similar to two positive charges but with arrows pointing inward.
$6$. For a uniform electric field,the field lines are parallel and equidistant.
$7$. When a metallic sphere is placed in a uniform electric field,the field lines are perpendicular to the surface of the conductor and do not penetrate it.
$8$. When a dielectric slab is placed in a uniform electric field,the field lines pass through it but are modified due to polarization.