Chromatography Basics Worksheet printable pdf download

What is chromatography?

Chromatography (from Greek word for

chromos for color) is the collective term for

a family of laboratory techniques for the

separation of mixtures. It involves passing a

mixture which contains the analyte through

a stationary phase, which separates it from

other molecules in the mixture and allows it

to be isolated.

Which means ... Chromatography is the

physical separation of a mixture into its

individual components.

We can use chromatography to separate the

components of inks and dyes. The process

can also be used to separate the colored

pigments in plants or used to determine the

chemical composition of many substances.

Mixture or compound?

Paper Chromatography Lab

Mixture – Two or more substances that are mixed

• Obtain the supplies you’ll need.

together, but not chemically combined.

1 large beaker (or plastic cup)

1 small beaker (or plastic cup) filled with water

Compounds – Two or more elements that are chemically

4 pieces of filter paper

combined.

4 black markers for testing

4 small pieces of masking tape

Identify each as a mixture (M) or a compound (C).

Pencil (to attach to the top of the filter paper)

____ Air

____ Soda pop

____ Fog

Permanent marker

Timer

____ Table salt

____ Kool-Aid

____ Water

• Write the pen number on a piece of masking tape with a

____ Salt water

____ Carbon Monoxide

permanent marker and place it at the top of the strip.

• Choose one of the testing markers and draw a thick line

Solutions & Solubility

near the bottom of the filter paper - about ¼ inch from the

Solutions are mixtures in which one substance is dissolved

bottom.

in another. The solute is the substance that is dissolved,

while the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving.

• Pour a small amount of water into the large cup and then

hang the paper strip in the cup. Make sure the ink line

Identify the solute and solvent in each solution.

does not touch the water – only the bottom of the filter

paper.

• Allow the water to move up

•

the paper for 5 minutes and

then remove the strip from

the water. Hang it on the side

of the table to dry.

Solubility - A measure of how much of a given substance

will dissolve in a liquid. A substance that does not dissolve

• Follow these directions to test

in water is called insoluble. A substance that does dissolve

the other pens.

in water is called soluble.

T. Trimpe 2009

Chromatography Basics Worksheet

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