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.

1. Assertion (A) is true. When a stick is dipped in water at a slanting position, it appears short and bent at the surface of water when observed sideways. This is a common observation. 2. This phenomenon is caused by the refraction of light. Light rays travelling from the part of the stick submerged in water bend away from the normal when they pass from water (denser medium) to air (rarer medium) before reaching the observer's eye. The apparent depth seems less than the real depth, and the stick appears bent at the interface. 3. Reason (R) states that the appearance is due to the scattering of light from water molecules. While scattering does occur in water, it is not the primary reason for the apparent bending and shortening of the stick. The primary phenomenon responsible is refraction. 4. Therefore, Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.