Question

A public health inspector suspects that in addition to two harmless dyes (boiling points $69{}^{o}C$ and $71{}^{o}C$), a lollipop also contains a poisonous green dye (boiling point $73{}^{o}C$). Which of the following can be used to confirm his suspicion?

• A. Fractional distillation
• B. Paper chromatography
• C. Filtration
• D. Crystallization

Answer 1

The correct option is B Paper chromatography

A public health inspector suspects that in addition to two harmless dyes(boiling points 69 C and 71 C), a lollipop also contains a poisonous green dye (boiling point 73 C). Paper chromatography can be used to confirm his suspicion. Here, different dyes will have different affinity for paper (stationary phase) and solvent (mobile phase). Fractional distillation is used when individual components of mixtures have boiling points more than 30 C. Filtration and crystallisation are used in separation / purification of solid from liquid.