C2.16 Chromatography

Chromatography

Inks, paints and foods often contain mixtures of coloured compounds. Chromatography can be used to find out which colourings are in those substances. 

Some coloured compounds dissolve better in a solvent than others. They have different solubilities. This difference is used to separate different components of mixtures in chromatography. 

In paper chromatography, samples are placed near the bottom of a sheet of special paper. Solvent then soaks up the paper. The different components of a mixture are carried by the solvent at different speeds so they are separated.…