A particle size distribution analysis tool helps determine the range and distribution of particle diameters within a sample. This analysis is often visualized using a cumulative distribution curve, showing the percentage of particles smaller than a given diameter. For instance, the point on the curve corresponding to 60% indicates the particle diameter, often termed D60, below which 60% of the sample’s particles fall. Specialized software or online tools often automate these calculations and visualizations.
Understanding particle size distribution is essential in various fields, including sedimentology, materials science, and pharmaceuticals. It informs critical decisions regarding material properties and behavior, such as soil permeability, powder flowability, and drug dissolution rates. Historical methods involved laborious sieving and microscopic analysis, but modern computational tools offer significantly faster and more precise assessments, enabling improved quality control and product development.