Paper Chromatography 1
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 8.1.4
Paper Chromatography
In paper chromatography, mixtures of soluble substances are separated. A solvent (mobile phase) is run through the mixture on paper (contains the stationary phase). The substances will move up the paper at different rates. The most soluble substance will move the furthest.
Dip the chromatography paper
- Dip the bottom of the chromatography paper into the solvent.
Solvent movement
- The solvent travels up the chromatography paper.
- As the solvent moves, it picks up and transports the substances being tested up the chromatography paper.
Distance travelled
- The components that travel furthest are highly soluble (dissolve easily) in the solvent. They are also minimally attracted to the chromatography paper.
Test yourself on Paper Chromatography 1
In paper chromatography, the components that travel furthest are...
A student uses a gas as one of the phases in a chromatography experiment. Which phase must this gas be?
A pigment barely moves from its starting spot during paper chromatography. What does this suggest about the pigment's solubility in the solvent?
Why do the substances in a mixture move up the chromatography paper during the experiment?
A viscous liquid is used as one of the phases in a chromatography experiment. Which phase must this liquid be?