Sample preparation method in which electromechanically driven rod or vibrating base is used to break particles down mechanically into smaller units; can be performed in wet or dry state.

• A. Mincing
• B. Homogenizing
• C. Sieving
• D. Pulverizing

Answer: (D)

Pulverizing is all about turning solid material into very fine particles or powder through mechanical energy. The method described uses an electromechanically driven rod or a vibrating base to physically break the material apart, and it can be done with either wet or dry material. This approach increases surface area and improves interaction with solvents during downstream analysis or extraction, which is a common goal in sample prep. In contrast, mincing involves cutting into small pieces without achieving fine powder; homogenizing aims to mix substances into a uniform blend rather than reduce particle size; sieving separates particles by size but does not further reduce their size. So the described technique best fits pulverizing.