The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The Ionosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. It is not a distinct thermal layer like the Troposphere or Stratosphere but is an electrified region extending through the upper Mesosphere and the Thermosphere.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The atmospheric layer located between 10 and 50 km above the surface is the Stratosphere. The Ionosphere extends from approximately 80 km to 400 km altitude.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The Ionosphere contains electrically charged particles known as ions. High-energy solar photons strip electrons from gas atoms in this layer, creating a plasma of electrons and positive ions, which facilitates radio communication.
- Statement 3 is Correct. The Ionosphere is primarily situated within the Thermosphere. In this layer, the temperature increases with height due to the absorption of intense solar ultraviolet and X-ray radiation by atomic oxygen and nitrogen. Temperatures can reach as high as 2,000°C or more in the upper Thermosphere.
Key Takeaway: The Ionosphere is defined by its electrical properties (ionization) rather than temperature, but it coincides with the Thermosphere where temperature rises with altitude. It is located far above the Stratosphere (10-50 km).