Which of the following statements are correct?
(i) The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere. (ii) Troposphere is the coldest layer of Earth's atmosphere. (iii) In mesosphere, temperature decreases with increasing altitude. (iv) Most meteorites burn up in the thermosphere.

Options

A. (ii) and (iv) only
B. (i) and (ii) only
C. (i) and (iv) only
D. (i) and (iii) only

Explanation

To determine which of the statements are correct, we will evaluate each one based on our knowledge of Earth's atmosphere.

1. **Statement (i): The ozone layer is present in the stratosphere.**
- The ozone layer is indeed located in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere. This statement is **correct**.

2. **Statement (ii): Troposphere is the coldest layer of Earth's atmosphere.**
- The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where we live, and it generally gets colder with altitude. However, it is not the coldest layer; that title goes to the mesosphere. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

3. **Statement (iii): In mesosphere, temperature decreases with increasing altitude.**
- In the mesosphere, temperature does decrease as altitude increases. This is a characteristic of this layer. Thus, this statement is **correct**.

4. **Statement (iv): Most meteorites burn up in the thermosphere.**
- Most meteorites actually burn up in the mesosphere, not the thermosphere. The thermosphere is located above the mesosphere and is characterized by increasing temperatures with altitude. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

**Summary of the evaluation:**
- Statement (i) is correct.
- Statement (ii) is incorrect.
- Statement (iii) is correct.
- Statement (iv) is incorrect.

**Final Answer:**
The correct statements are (i) and (iii).