If the mass passing through any sieve after one minute of hand agitation exceeds 0.5% of the original sample mass, the sieving is not adequate.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Cannot determine

Answer: (A)

In sieve analysis, you want the material to be separated by size in a controlled, repeatable way. The 0.5% limit after one minute of hand agitation is a tolerance that ensures the separation is working properly and the measured gradation is representative. If more than 0.5% of the original sample mass passes through a sieve in that standard one-minute shake, it signals that the sieving is not performing adequately—fines are slipping through too readily, which would skew the results. So the statement is true: exceeding that 0.5% threshold means the sieving isn't adequate. If you encounter this, you’d review the procedure and equipment (sample preparation, dry conditions, agitation, and sieve integrity) and adjust as needed to regain proper separation.