(a) What is chromatography?
(b) Why is this technique very useful?
(a) Chromatography is the technique of separation of different components of the mixture bypassing the sample through the two phases, the mobile, and the stationary phase.
It is used to separate, purify and identify the components of the mixture.
Principle: Differential absorption of substance on the surface of the absorbent.
It consists of the mobile and stationary phases.
Mobile phase: it is the solvent that passes through the stationary phase. Example water, alcohol, benzene, etc.
Stationary phase: this is the solid or liquid part on which sample material is applied. Example- filter paper, silica, etc.
Working: A pure solvent is allowed to pass through the stationary phase on which the sample has been placed. the components of the sample also rise along with the mobile phase and get separated from one another at different heights according to their solubilities in the solvent.
(b) Advantages of chromatography:
Therefore it is a very important technique.