The following figure shows electric field lines in which an electric…

The correct answer is Option (1) → the dipole will experience a force towards left

The closeness of the field lines shows the strength of the field. In the figure the lines are closer together on the left and spread out towards the right, so the field is non-uniform: it is stronger on the left and weaker on the right. In a non-uniform field the forces on the two charges of a dipole are unequal.

The field points to the right. The dipole moment points from \( -q \) to \( +q \), that is, along the field. The charge \( -q \) sits in the stronger part of the field and the charge \( +q \) in the weaker part:

    force on \( -q \): larger, directed to the left (opposite to \( \vec{E} \))
    force on \( +q \): smaller, directed to the right (along \( \vec{E} \))

The larger leftward force wins, so the net force on the dipole is towards the left, towards the region of stronger field.

NCERT (2026-27):
Dipole in a Uniform External Field – “… In either case, the net torque is zero, but there is a net force on the dipole if E is not uniform. Figure 1.20 is self-explanatory. It is easily seen that when p is parallel to E, the dipole has a net force in the direction of increasing field.”