Electric field lines provide information about

The correct answer is Option (4) → All of the above

Option (1) the field strength — Incorrect. Field lines do show the strength, because they crowd where the field is strong. But they also show the nature of the charges and the direction of the field. So this option alone is incomplete.

Option (2) the nature of the charge — Incorrect. Field lines do show it, because they start from positive charges and end at negative charges. But they also show the strength and the direction of the field. So this option alone is incomplete.

Option (3) the direction of the field — Incorrect. Field lines do show it, because the tangent at each point gives the direction. But they also show the strength of the field and the nature of the charges. So this option alone is incomplete.

Option (4) All of the above — Correct. Each of the three is read off a picture of field lines:

• The relative density of the lines gives the relative strength of the field, so (1) holds.

• The lines start from positive charges and end at negative charges, so the sign of each charge can be read off and (2) holds.

• The tangent to a line at a point, with its arrow, gives the direction of the field there, so (3) holds.

NCERT (2026-27):
Electric Field Lines – “… Having drawn a certain set of field lines, the relative density (i.e., closeness) of the field lines at different points indicates the relative strength of electric field at those points.”

Electric Field Lines – “(i) Field lines start from positive charges and end at negative charges. If there is a single charge, they may start or end at infinity.”

Electric Field Lines – “… An electric field line is, in general, a curve drawn in such a way that the tangent to it at each point is in the direction of the net field at that point.”