Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation. Statement-II : Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

1. A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II explains Statement-I
2. B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Answer: D

Explanation

Statement-I is incorrect. The atmosphere is primarily heated indirectly by terrestrial radiation (longwave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface) rather than directly by incoming solar radiation (shortwave radiation). While solar radiation passes through the atmosphere to heat the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere itself absorbs a significant portion of the longwave radiation re-emitted by the Earth. Statement-II is correct. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are indeed excellent absorbers of longwave radiation. This absorption is a key mechanism of the greenhouse effect, trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to its warming. This question tests fundamental concepts of atmospheric heating and the greenhouse effect, core topics in physical geography for UPSC.