Which of the following statements are correct ?(A) Electrostatic fiel…

The correct answer is Option (4) → (C), (D) and (E) only

(A) Electrostatic field lines form closed loops. — Incorrect. Electrostatic field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges (or go to infinity). They never form closed loops, because \( \oint\vec{E}\cdot d\vec{l} = 0 \) for an electrostatic field.

(B) In an electric dipole, the direction from charge q to −q is the direction of the dipole. — Incorrect. The dipole moment \( \vec{p} \) points from the negative charge −q to the positive charge +q, which is the opposite direction.

(C) Water molecule is an example of polar molecule. — Correct. The H₂O molecule is bent, so the centres of its positive and negative charge do not coincide and it has a permanent dipole moment.

(D) The electric field due to a uniformly charged thin shell is zero at some points inside the shell. — Correct. By Gauss’s law no charge is enclosed by a Gaussian surface drawn inside the shell, so the field is zero at every point inside, and so at some points.

(E) Electrostatic force is conservative in nature. — Correct. The work done by the electrostatic force depends only on the end points and is zero over a closed path.

NCERT (2026-27):
Electric Field Lines – “… (iv) Electrostatic field lines do not form any closed loops.”

Electric Dipole – “… By convention, the direction from –q to q is said to be the direction of the dipole.”

Physical Significance of Dipoles – “… Such molecules are called polar molecules. Water molecules, H₂O, is an example of this type.”

Field Due to a Uniformly Charged Thin Spherical Shell – “… that is, the field due to a uniformly charged thin shell is zero at all points inside the shell.”

Introduction – “… Coulomb force between two (stationary) charges is also a conservative force.”