Assertion (A): A stick is dipped in water in a slanting position. If observed sideways, the stick appears short and bent at the surface of water. Reason (R): The light coming from the stick undergoes scattering from water molecules giving the stick a short and bent appearance.

Assertion (A) is true. When a stick is dipped in water at an angle and observed from the side, it appears bent and shorter due to the phenomenon of refraction of light. Light rays from the submerged part of the stick bend away from the normal as they pass from water (denser medium) to air (rarer medium). This bending causes the apparent displacement of the submerged part, making it look raised and closer to the surface, thus appearing shorter and bent at the interface. Reason (R) is false. The bending and apparent shortening of the stick are caused by the refraction of light, not scattering. Scattering of light occurs when light interacts with particles in a medium, causing it to deviate in different directions (e.g., Rayleigh scattering causing the blue sky).