GCSE Chemistry Revision "Paper Chromatography"

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Paper chromatography is a technique used by scientists to separate substances based on solubilities by placing ink dots on chromatography paper and allowing a solvent to move up and dissolve the inks, resulting in the separation of colors. The stationary phase is the paper, and the mobile phase is the solvent, with pure compounds producing a single spot in all solvents, while mixtures may separate into different spots depending on solubilities.

Insights

  • Paper chromatography separates substances based on solubility differences by using a stationary phase (paper) and a mobile phase (solvent), with pure compounds showing a single spot and mixtures separating into distinct spots.
  • The technique's effectiveness lies in the principle that more soluble substances are drawn towards the mobile phase, leading them to travel farther on the paper, resulting in the separation of colors or compounds based on their solubilities.

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Recent questions

  • How does paper chromatography work?

    Paper chromatography separates substances based on solubilities.

  • What is the stationary phase in chromatography?

    The paper is the stationary phase in chromatography.

  • What is the mobile phase in chromatography?

    The solvent is the mobile phase in chromatography.

  • How are pure compounds identified in chromatography?

    Pure compounds produce a single spot in all solvents.

  • Why do substances separate in paper chromatography?

    More soluble substances travel further in the mobile phase.

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Summary

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Separating Substances with Paper Chromatography

  • Paper chromatography is a physical separation technique used by scientists to separate substances in a mixture based on their different solubilities. It involves placing dots of different colored inks on chromatography paper, allowing a solvent to move up the paper and dissolve the inks, resulting in the separation of colors into distinct spots.
  • The paper is referred to as the stationary phase, while the solvent is the mobile phase. Pure compounds produce a single spot in all solvents, while mixtures may separate into different spots depending on the solvent used. The technique works because more soluble substances are more attracted to the mobile phase, causing them to travel further than less soluble substances.
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