A dipole is placed in an electric field as shown. In which direction will it move ?

The diagram shows a dipole (a pair of opposite charges) placed in a non‑uniform electric field. The field lines are closer together on the right side, indicating that the magnitude of the electric field **E** is larger there than on the left side.

For an electric dipole the potential energy in an external field is given by

$U\; =\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{p\}\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash mathbf\{E\}$

where **p** is the dipole moment vector (pointing from the negative charge toward the positive charge). In the figure the dipole is oriented so that **p** is aligned with the direction of the field (left‑to‑right). Because the field strength increases toward the right, the magnitude of the dot product **p·E** becomes larger (more positive) as the dipole moves rightward. Since the minus sign makes **U** more negative, the potential energy **decreases**.

Therefore, the dipole experiences a net force toward the region of stronger field – i.e., toward the right – and its potential energy decreases as it moves in that direction.

Hence, the correct choice is:

towards the right as its potential energy will decrease.