GATE 2026 ES – Question 40
Match stability P Strong instability, Q Neutral stability, R Surface inversion, S Aloft inversion with plume behavior (i) Fanning,(ii) Fumigation,(iii) Coning,(iv) Looping. Options list P, Q, R, S.
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Correct answer: (B) iv, iii, i, ii
Explanation
Strong instability produces vertical eddies and looping. Neutral conditions produce a coning plume. A stable surface inversion suppresses vertical mixing and causes fanning. An inversion aloft caps upward dispersion while mixing below carries the plume downward, producing fumigation. Hence P–iv, Q–iii, R–i, S–ii: **B**.