Consider the following statements : Statement I: Scientific studies suggest that a shift is taking place in the Earth's rotation and axis. Statement II: Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections bombarded the Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous amount of energy. Statement III : As the Earth's polar ice melts, the water tends to move towards the equator. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
- BBoth Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement ICorrect
- COnly one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- DNeither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Explanation
Statement I: Scientific studies do suggest that shifts are occurring in Earth's rotation and axis due to various factors including climate change and mass redistribution.
Statement II: Correct. Solar flares and coronal mass ejections do bombard Earth's outermost atmosphere with tremendous energy. However, this does not explain Statement I — solar flares primarily affect electromagnetic systems and atmospheric conditions, not the planet's rotational axis or rotation speed.
Statement III: Correct and explains Statement I. As polar ice melts due to global warming, the redistribution of water mass from poles toward the equator affects Earth's moment of inertia, causing measurable changes in rotation speed and polar motion. This is similar to how a figure skater slows down when extending their arms.
Both Statements II and III are correct, but only Statement III explains the phenomenon described in Statement I.
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