Step 1: Understanding the ionosphere.
The ionosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere that contains charged particles, including free electrons and positive ions. It is created by the ionization of gas molecules by solar radiation.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- (A) Only positive ions is incorrect because the ionosphere also contains free electrons.
- (B) Only neutral particles is incorrect because the ionosphere is characterized by ionized particles, not neutral ones.
- (C) Only electrons is incorrect because the ionosphere also contains positive ions.
- (D) Electrons and positive ions is correct as the ionosphere contains both free electrons and positive ions.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D), as the ionosphere consists of both electrons and positive ions.