Scribd
Upload
11 views3 pages

Paper Chromatography

Uploaded by

arwa.makatiani.ed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views3 pages

Paper Chromatography

Uploaded by

arwa.makatiani.ed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Paper Chromatography

What is Paper Chromatography?

Paper chromatography is a separation technique used to identify the components of a mixture.


It works because substances in a mixture have different solubilities in a solvent and different
attractions to the paper.

How Does it Work?

Chromatography has two main parts:

1.​ Stationary Phase​

○​ The material that does not move.


○​ In this case, it’s chromatography paper.
2.​ Mobile Phase​

○​ The liquid that moves through the stationary phase.


○​ It’s usually a solvent like water or ethanol.
Substances in the mixture dissolve in the solvent and travel at different speeds based on their
solubility and affinity for the paper.

Steps for Paper Chromatography

1.​ Prepare the Paper:​

○​ Draw a pencil line (baseline) near the bottom of the paper.


○​ Place a small dot of the mixture on the baseline.
2.​ Set up the Experiment:​

○​ Dip the bottom of the paper into the solvent (ensure the dot is above the solvent).
○​ Place the setup in a closed container to minimize evaporation.
3.​ Allow Separation:​

○​ As the solvent rises, the mixture separates into spots.


○​ Each spot represents a different substance.

Key Concept: Retention Factor (Rf)

The Rf value measures how far a substance travels compared to the solvent.

Rf=Distance moved by the substanceDistance moved by the solventRf = \frac{\text{Distance


moved by the substance}}{\text{Distance moved by the solvent}}

For example:

●​ If the solvent moves 10 cm and the substance moves 6 cm: Rf=610=0.6Rf = \frac{6}{10}
= 0.6

Each substance has a unique Rf value under the same conditions.

Applications of Chromatography

●​ Food industry: Identifying artificial colorings.


●​ Forensics: Analyzing inks or dyes in investigations.
●​ Environment: Detecting water pollutants.
Important Notes

●​ Always use pencil for the baseline, as ink could dissolve.


●​ Keep the solvent level below the mixture spot to avoid washing it away.
●​ Ensure consistent conditions for accurate Rf values (e.g., type of paper, solvent, and
temperature).

You might also like