12.3.1

Chromatography

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Chromatography

Chromatography is a process that separates a mixture into its different components.

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2 phases

  • Substances are picked up and carried by a mobile phase (liquid or gas).
  • The mobile phase then moves through a stationary phase (solid or viscous liquid).
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Separation of substances

  • Depends on the distribution of a substance across the 2 phases:
    • A substance moves far if it's more attracted to the mobile phase.
    • A substance doesn't move far if it's more attracted to the stationary phase.
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Strength of attraction

  • Different components can sometimes be equally attracted to a solvent.
  • Therefore, the number of spots a mixture produces can vary depending on the solvent used.
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Locating agents

  • Chromatography can also be used to separate colourless components in mixtures.
  • Locating agents are used to show where the spots are.
  • Locating agents bind with the components of the mixture and can form coloured products, which locate the compounds.
  • In other cases, we can locate the spots under a UV lamp.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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