Objectives
● To separate particles based on size using standard test sieves.
● To measure the mass retained on each sieve.
● To calculate the percentage of material in different size ranges.
● To plot a particle size distribution curve.
● To determine characteristic diameters (D₁₀, D₅₀, D₉₀).

Theory
Sieve analysis is a simple and widely used method to determine the particle size distribution of granular materials. The technique involves passing a sample through a series of sieves arranged in decreasing mesh size order, from coarse to fine.

The sample is placed on the top sieve and subjected to mechanical or manual shaking for a specified duration. Particles are separated according to size, with larger ones retained on coarser sieves and smaller particles passing through to finer sieves.

By measuring the weight of material retained on each sieve, the proportion of each size fraction is determined. From this, the particle size distribution curve is plotted, showing particle size (on a logarithmic scale) vs. percentage passing (finer).

Key parameters:
● D₁₀ (Effective Diameter): 10% of particles are finer than this size.
● D₅₀ (Median Diameter): 50% of particles are finer than this size.
● D₉₀ (Coarse Diameter): 90% of particles are finer than this size.

This method is widely used in pharmaceuticals, soil mechanics, food processing, and material sciences to evaluate flow properties, mixing, and dissolution rates.