Option (d) is the correct answer. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is also an important greenhouse gas. It has a long lifetime in Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide strongly absorbs energy with a wavelength of 15 μm (micrometres). This makes carbon dioxide a good absorber of wavelengths falling in the infrared radiation region of the spectrum. Among GHGs, only water vapour has the ability to absorb both incoming (UV) and outgoing (infrared) radiation.

The correct answer is option 'D' - carbon dioxide absorbs the infrared part of the solar radiation. Let's delve into the details to better understand this phenomenon.

What is Carbon Dioxide?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that is naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere. It is released through natural processes like respiration and volcanic eruptions, as well as human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. CO2 plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth's temperature and climate.

Greenhouse Effect
The Earth's atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, allowing sunlight to pass through and heat the Earth's surface. Some of this heat is then radiated back into space as infrared radiation. However, certain gases in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, trap some of this outgoing infrared radiation and prevent it from escaping into space. This is known as the greenhouse effect.

Carbon Dioxide and Infrared Radiation
Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths than visible light. When sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, it is absorbed and re-emitted as infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide molecules have the ability to absorb and re-emit infrared radiation due to their molecular structure.

Carbon dioxide molecules are capable of absorbing specific wavelengths of infrared radiation that are emitted by the Earth's surface. These absorbed infrared photons cause the CO2 molecules to vibrate and gain energy. As a result, the atmosphere warms up, leading to an increase in the temperature of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere.

Consequences of Increased Carbon Dioxide
The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation activities have significantly increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere. This increased concentration enhances the greenhouse effect, leading to a rise in global temperatures. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as global warming.

The consequences of global warming are far-reaching and include rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity.

Conclusion
In conclusion, carbon dioxide absorbs the infrared part of the solar radiation, which is emitted by the Earth's surface. This absorption leads to an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and its associated impacts. It is important to address and mitigate the increased levels of carbon dioxide to reduce the effects of climate change.