Which characteristic is important for a sample splitter to maintain when dividing a sample?

The characteristic of maintaining representation of the sample is crucial when using a sample splitter to divide materials. This means that the split samples should accurately reflect the composition and properties of the original sample. Ensuring that the divided portions have the same characteristics as the whole sample is vital for consistent and reliable testing results, as variations in composition can lead to discrepancies in analysis and conclusions drawn from the test.

Uniformity in size, although useful, is secondary to the need for the split samples to represent the full sample accurately. Reducing weight may be necessary for practical handling, but it should not compromise the integrity of the sample. Speed of division might be a consideration for efficiency, but it should not take precedence over the need for representative sampling to ensure valid results in subsequent tests. This underscores the importance of representation as the key factor in the effectiveness of sample splitting in testing situations.