The correct option is D Mixture of eluent and substances to be separated
The technique of separating the components of a mixture in which separation is achieved by the differential movement of individual components through a stationary phase under the influence of mobile phase.
Column chromatography method is used to isolate a single chemical compound from a mixture. Chromatography is able to separate substances based on differential adsorption of compounds to the adsorbent. Compounds move through the column at different rates, allowing them to be separated into fractions.
In column chromatography, the stationary phase, a solid adsorbent, is placed in a vertical glass (usually) column. The mobile phase or eluent is a solvent or a mixture of solvents along with substances to be separated and used to move the compounds through the column.
So, the correct answer is option (d).