Correct Answer: Option B) 2 & 3
Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in Earth's atmospheric processes and climate regulation.
Statement 1: "Carbon dioxide is opaque to incoming solar radiation" - This is Incorrect. Carbon dioxide is actually transparent to most incoming solar radiation (short-wave radiation from the sun). However, it is opaque to outgoing long-wave (infrared) radiation from Earth's surface, which is why it acts as a greenhouse gas.
Statement 2: "Carbon dioxide volume in the atmosphere is increasing due to fossil fuel burning" - This is correct. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, have significantly increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations from about 280 ppm in pre-industrial times to over 410 ppm today.
Statement 3: "Carbon dioxide helps in regulating Earth's temperature" - This is correct. CO2 is a key greenhouse gas that helps regulate Earth's temperature by trapping outgoing infrared radiation in the atmosphere. This greenhouse effect is essential for maintaining temperatures suitable for life on Earth, though excessive CO2 leads to global warming.
