Which method involves mechanical cutting of the sample into smaller parts?

• A. Sieving
• B. Chopping
• C. Crushing
• D. Blending

Answer: (B)

Chopping uses a blade or knife to physically cut the sample into smaller pieces. This is mechanical cutting, producing pieces by shear rather than by crushing or mixing. Sieving merely separates particles by size with a mesh, not cutting. Crushing reduces size through compressive force, often creating fragments or powder rather than clean cuts. Blending mixes materials to form a homogeneous blend, not to cut the sample. So chopping is the method that best fits mechanical cutting of the sample into smaller parts.