Consider the following statements:
I. Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth’s surface.
II. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet’s average temperature.
III. Atmosphere’s gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (c) I, II, and III Explanation: • Statement I: Without the atmosphere, Earth would lose heat rapidly, resulting in temperatures below freezing globally (similar to the Moon). This is correct. • Statement II: The atmosphere’s greenhouse effect traps heat, maintaining Earth’s average temperature (~15°C). This is correct. • Statement III: Gases like CO₂ absorb and trap infrared radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect. This is correct. All three statements are correct, so (c) is the answer.