The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
As solar radiation passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it interacts with atmospheric gases, water vapour, and suspended particles. These interactions involve absorption, scattering, and reflection, which vary based on the wavelength of the radiation and the nature of the atmospheric constituents.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Within the troposphere, water vapour, ozone, and other gases absorb a significant amount of near-infrared radiation. While ozone is primarily responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere, it also contributes to absorption in other bands within the troposphere alongside water vapour.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Small suspended particles in the atmosphere do not absorb the entire visible spectrum. Instead, they are primarily responsible for the scattering of visible light. This scattering (specifically Rayleigh scattering) is the phenomenon responsible for the blue colour of the sky and the reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation (visible light). It is not opaque to all forms of radiation; it allows the majority of visible light to pass through to the Earth's surface while selectively absorbing specific wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared.
Key Takeaway:
The atmosphere is largely transparent to shortwave solar radiation but selectively absorbs specific wavelengths (such as UV by ozone and near-infrared by water vapour) and scatters visible light via suspended particles.