Which of the following is an appropriate wetting agent to use while sieving through a No. 200 sieve?

Using water or a dispersing agent as a wetting agent while sieving through a No. 200 sieve is appropriate because it helps to prevent fine particles from clumping together. When materials are wetted properly, this minimizes the particle agglomeration, allowing the sieve to function effectively and ensuring that fine particles can pass through the mesh without being held back by moisture.

Water is the most common and effective wetting agent because it is readily available, non-toxic, and typically does not chemically interact with most soil constituents. In some cases, a dispersing agent may be added to the water to further enhance the separation of fine particles, particularly when testing materials like clay that tend to stick together due to surface tension.

Other options, such as oil and alcohol, are less effective for this process. Oil can cause more clumping due to its viscous nature and is not generally used in soil testing applications. Alcohol can evaporate quickly and may not provide the necessary hydration to keep the particles evenly distributed during sieving. Detergent may disrupt the soil structure in unintended ways or leave residues that could affect test results, so it is not considered suitable for this purpose either. Therefore, water or a dispersing agent is the most appropriate choice for