Answers to Guide Questions: 1.

Give the two advantages and disadvantages for each of the different methods used in the laboratory in determining the powders particle size and distribution. There were three methods employed in the experiment. a. Microscopic Method - uses an ordinary microscope; the size measurement for this method is 0.02 100 m Advantage: Photomicrographs may be taken and may be used as a permanent record. The presence of agglomerates of more than one component may be detected.

Disadvantage: Only two dimensions of the particle is measured, not the volume. This method is tedious and time-consuming, around 300-500 particles must be measured in order to gain a good estimate of the distribution of particles. b. Sedimentation Method in the experiment, the pipette method was employed Advantage: This method combines case of analysis, accuracy and economy of equipment. It is applicable to irregularly-shaped particles of various sizes. It is noted that the diameter obtained is a relative particle size equivalent to that of the sphere falling at the same velocity.

Disadvantage: Stokes Law, in which this method is based upon, holds exactly only for spheres falling without hindrance and at a constant rate. It is required that for the Stokes Law to apply on irregularly-shaped particles, the particles must not be aggregated or clumped together in the suspension since clumps would fall more rapidly and erroneous results would be obtained, hence a suspending agent may be used. c. Sieving Method this method uses a series of sieves which are calibrated by the National Bureau of Standards Advantage:

Generally used for grading coarse particles. The particle size distribution may be obtained.

Disadvantage: Sieving errors can arise from a number of variables, such as sieve loading, duration and intensity of agitation. Sieving can cause attrition of granular pharmaceutical materials.

2. What are the Martin, Feret and Projected Area diameters? These are popular measurements in optical micrsocopy wherein the particles are measured along an arbitrarily chosen fixed line, generally drawn horizontally across the center of a particle. Martins diameter is the lenghth of the line that bisects the particle image. The line that can be drawn in any direction but must be in the same direction for all particles must be measured. Ferets diameter is the distance between two tangents on opposite sides of the particle parallel to some fixed direction. The projected are diameter is the diameter of a side with the same area as that of the particle observed perpendicular to the surface to which the particle rests. 3. What is Reynolds Number? Reynolds Number is a dimensionless number which indicates whether the flow of the dispersion medium around the particles it sediments is turbulent or laminar. It is given by the equation: where v is the rate of settling d is the mean diameter of

particles based on the velocity of sedimentation, is the density of the dispersion medium and is the viscosity of the medium, Ptebes law cannot be used if > 0.2 since the turbulence appears at this value. 4. Give the descriptive terms used in assessing the powders flowability (Angle of Repose, Carrs Index, and Hausners Ratio) and the quantitative values associated with them. Angle of repose is the maximum angle possible between the surface of a pile of powder and the horizontal plane. The coarser and more irregular the surface of the particles, the higher the angle of repose will be.

Flow Property Excellent Good Fair aid not needed Passable may hang up Poor, must agitate, vibrate Very poor Very, very poor

Angle of Repose (degrees) 25-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-55 56-65 >66

On the other hand, the compressibility index or Carrs Index has been proposed as an indirect measure of bulk density, size and shape, surface area, moisture content, and cohesiveness of materials. The compressibility index and the Hausners Ratio are determined by measuring both the bulk volume and the tapped volume of a powder. Compressibility Index 10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-31 32-37 >38 Flow Character Excellent Good Fair Passable Poor Very Poor Very, Very Poor Hausners Ratio 1.00 1.11 1.12 1.18 1.19 1.25 1.26 1.34 1.35 1.45 1.46 1.59 >1.60

5. Differentiate glidant from lubricant. A glidant improves the flowabilty of a powder mixture while a lubricant improves the flow, prevents adhesion and and reduces interparticle friction in powder mixtures. References: SINKO, P. J., 2006. Martins Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 5th ed. PA: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 533-539.