Final answer:
Inerting is the process of displacing the atmosphere with a noncombustible gas to create a noncombustible environment. This process reduces the risk of fire or explosion in industrial and laboratory settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Displacing the atmosphere in a permit space by a noncombustible gas to such an extent that the resulting atmosphere is noncombustible is known as (a) Inerting. This process involves the introduction of a noncombustible gas, such as nitrogen or argon, to displace oxygen and other flammable gases, reducing the risk of fire or explosion. This technique is used in various industrial and laboratory settings to create a safe working environment where flammable materials are present or where chemical reactions sensitive to oxygen need to be carried out.