Final answer:
Parallel lines never intersect and maintain a constant distance, often visualized in linear perspective, whereas perpendicular lines intersect at a right angle, as demonstrated in Cartesian coordinate systems where the x-axis and y-axis intersect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of parallel and perpendicular lines in geometry are defined using the undefined terms of line, point, and plane. Parallel lines are two lines that never intersect and are always the same distance apart, which can be visualized as railroad tracks extending into the distance without ever meeting. This concept is also applied in the linear perspective in art, where parallel lines appear to converge. In contrast, perpendicular lines intersect at a right angle (90 degrees), which can be seen in graphs where the axes are perpendicular to each other. For example, in a typical Cartesian coordinate system, the x-axis and y-axis intersect at a right angle, which is essential for understanding algebraic equations like y = mx + b, where m represents the slope of the line and b represents the y-intercept.