How Do Frequency and Cumulative Distributions Relate to Particle Size Analysis?

[squalenepo]

What is the relationship between the Frequency Distribution, Cumulative Distribution and Particle Size?

 

[Baluncore]

Frequency distribution and cumulative distribution are statistical concepts.
You have a sample of particles that range from a minimum to a maximum size.

You perform a sieve analysis so as to sort or classify them into size ranges.
See; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sieve_analysis

You then weigh the particles in each class, (size range), and record that data.
By converting the weight falling in each size class to a percentage of the total you eliminate sample size variation.

If you tabulate or plot that data as a bar graph against size class you will have a frequency distribution. Different grinding or transport mechanisms have characteristically different frequency distributions. The comparison of graphed frequency distributions is quick and easy.

If you then compute a running total over the frequency distribution data, you will generate a cumulative frequency distribution, it starts at zero and finally reaches 100%. From that you can quickly identify what proportion of the mass of particles is above or below a particular size.