Basics of chromatography | Chemical processes | MCAT | Khan Academy

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Paper chromatography separates mixtures using a mobile phase and a stationary phase, with the solvent carrying dyes up the paper to indicate attraction. Other types of chromatography like thin-layer, column, size-exchange, ion-exchange, affinity, and HPLC use different phases for separation.

Insights

  • **Paper chromatography** involves separating mixtures using a mobile phase (solvent) and a stationary phase (paper), where dyes from the sample move with the solvent up the paper, showing their attraction to either the solvent or paper.
  • **Various types of chromatography** like thin-layer, column, size-exchange, ion-exchange, affinity, and HPLC exist, each utilizing distinct stationary and mobile phases beyond paper and water, broadening the applications and methods of chromatographic separation.

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Recent questions

  • What is paper chromatography?

    Paper chromatography is a method of separating mixtures using a stationary phase (paper) and a mobile phase (solvent).

  • How does paper chromatography work?

    Paper chromatography works by the solvent traveling up the paper, carrying different dyes from the sample, separating them based on their attraction to the solvent or paper.

  • What is the difference between paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography?

    Thin-layer chromatography is similar to paper chromatography but uses a glass slide coated with silica gel as the stationary phase instead of paper.

  • What are some other types of chromatography?

    Other types of chromatography include column chromatography, size-exchange chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and HPLC, each utilizing different stationary and mobile phases for separation.

  • Why is chromatography used in scientific research?

    Chromatography is used in scientific research to separate and analyze mixtures, making it a valuable tool in various fields such as chemistry, biology, and forensics for identifying and quantifying components within a sample.

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Summary

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Types of Chromatography Techniques Explained

  • Paper chromatography involves separating mixtures using a mobile phase and a stationary phase.
  • In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is the paper, and the mobile phase is a solvent like water.
  • The separation occurs as the solvent travels up the paper, carrying different dyes from the sample.
  • The distance traveled by the dyes indicates their attraction to the solvent or paper.
  • Thin-layer chromatography is similar to paper chromatography but uses a glass slide coated with silica gel.
  • Column chromatography, size-exchange chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and HPLC are other types of chromatography with varying stationary and mobile phases.
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