Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Earth's atmosphere is divided into five distinct layers based on temperature variations and composition: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere. The Mesosphere is a critical intermediate layer where temperature decreases with altitude.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere. It is situated directly above the Stratosphere and below the Thermosphere.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Mesosphere lies immediately above the Stratosphere. The layer that lies above the Mesosphere is the Thermosphere. The boundary between the Stratosphere and the Mesosphere is called the Stratopause.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Mesosphere extends up to a height of approximately 80 km. It is the Thermosphere that extends from 80 km up to roughly 400 km. In the Mesosphere, meteorites burn up upon entering from space.
Key Takeaway: The Mesosphere is the third atmospheric layer, extending from 50 km to 80 km altitude, located between the Stratosphere and the Thermosphere, and is the coldest layer of the atmosphere.