Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): An electric dipole placed antiparallel to a non-uniform electric field experiences a net force towards the region of weaker electric field. Reason (R): The net torque on an electric dipole is zero when it is placed antiparallel to an electric field. In the light of the above statements, choose the

Step-by-step solution

Assertion (A) is true: When an electric dipole is placed antiparallel to a non-uniform electric field, its dipole moment p is opposite to the electric field E . In this orientation, the negative charge of the dipole is located in the region of stronger electric field, while the positive charge is in the weaker field region. The force on the negative charge (opposite to E ) dominates, resulting in a net force that pushes the dipole towards the weaker electric field region. Reason (R) is true: The torque on a dipole