EXPERIMENT NO.

MICROMERITICS

I. Objectives

1. To determine the average particle size by weight using sieving technique

2. To calculate the average particle size by volume using optical microscopy
3. To determine flowability of powders through angle of repose, and how
glidants influence the angle of repose and flowability
4. To identify “light” and “heavy” powders through bulk density
determination

II. Reagents/Materials

Evaporating dish Citric acid powder

Spatula Aspirin powder
#20, 40, 60, 80 & 100 sieve Talc
Mechanical sieve shaker Starch
Funnel Bismuth subcarbonate
Ruler Magnesium stearate
Graduated cylinder Starch

III. Procedure

A. Determination of Particle Size

1. Weigh about 25 g of citric acid powder.
2. Let the citric acid pass through a series of sieves arranged in such a
manner that the sieve with a smaller number should be on top.
3. Shake the sieves using the mechanical sieve shaker.
4. Weigh the amount of powder remaining on the sieves and in the
receiving pan.
5. Calculate the average particle size of the powder.

B. Calculation of the average particle size using optical microscopy

Data:
Size group (µ) Number of particles in each size group, n
40 – 59.9 20
60 – 79.9 40
80 – 99.9 120
100 – 119.9 100
120 – 139.9 40
140 – 159.9 10

1. Get the midsize, d, of each size group.

2. Get the sum of the number of particles in each size group, n(∑n).
3. Multiply d X n, and record the result in column nd in the table. Get
the sum of nd (∑nd).
4. Using the data, compute the average particle size using the formula:
dave = ∑nd
∑n

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 1

 C. Flow Properties of Powders
1. Prepare four (4) containers, each containing 5 g Aspirin powder. Label
the containers as powder A, B, C, and D.
2. Allow powder A to flow through a funnel and fall freely into the
surface.
3. Measure the height and diameter of the resulting cone.
4. Compute the angle of repose using the equation:
Tan θ = h/r
h = height of the powder cone
r = radium of the powder cone
5. Into powders B, C, and D, add 0.5 g of magnesium stearate, 0.5 g of
starch, and 0.5 g of talc powder, respectively.
6. Do the same as procedure number 2 to 4.

D. Bulk Density of Powders

1. Get approximately 50 cm3 of each powder, Bismuth subcarbonate,
Magnesium carbonate, and Talc.
2. Allow each type of powders to pass through sieve no. 20.
3. Carefully add the powder into three separate 100 cm3 graduated
cylinder. Ensure to reach the 50 cm3 mark.
4. Drop each graduated cylinder into a hard wood surface three times at
a height of one inch with a two-second interval.
5. Note the final volume obtained and calculate the bulk density of each
powder using the equation below.
Bulk Density = Weight of the sample (g)
Final Volume (cm3)

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 2

 Name: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________

Course, Year and Section: ________________________

EXPERIMENT NO. 7

MICROMERITICS

I. Results/Data/Observation

A. Sieving Method

Sieve No. Arithmetic Weight % retained (% retained)

(Passed/ Mean retained (g) X (mean
Retained) Opening opening)
(mm)

Total = ∑=

dave = ∑ (% retained X Average Size)

100

B. Optical Microscopy

Size group (µ) Midsize, d Number of nXd

(µ) particles in each
size group, n
40 – 59.9 20

60 – 79.9 40
80 – 99.9 120

100 – 119.9 100

120 – 139.9 40

140 – 159.9 10
∑n = ∑nd =

dave = ∑ nd
∑n

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 3

 C. Flow Properties of Powders

Powder Height of Diameter of Radius of Angle of

the powder the powder the cone repose
cone (cm) cone (cm) (cm)

A. Aspirin

B. ASA +
Magnesium
stearate

C. ASA +
Starch

D. ASA +
Talc

II. Computation

A.

B.

C.

D.

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 4

 D. Bulk Density of powders

Powder Weight of sample Final volume Bulk density

(g) (cm3) (g/cm3)
Bismuth
subcarbonate
Magnesium
carbonate

Talc

Computation:

Bismuth subcarbonate

Magnesium carbonate

Talc

III. Remarks/Conclusion:

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 5

 Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What is the importance of micromeritics in pharmacy?

2. What are the different methods of determining particle size by weight and by
volume?

3. What is the USP description of powders of animal and vegetable drug based on
their ability to pass through the different sieves?

4. Based on their angle of repose, describe the flow properties of powders.

5. What is the importance of glidants in the manufacture of tablets and capsule?

Laboratory Experiments in Physical Pharmacy Page | 6