Question

Reena drops a filter paper with different ink marking into a beaker containing water as shown in the figure. Which of the following can be observed and inferred after some time?

• A. All the ink spots attains the same height
• B. After some time the spots level arises
• C. All the ink spots move up at the same speed
• D. All the ink spots move up at different speeds

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

All the ink spots move up at different speeds

Chromatography is the technique used for the separation of those solutes that dissolve in the same solvent. In this technique, the difference in rate of movement of the solute particles is used to separate them.
The solution is made to move through an adsorbent solid. The component that is more soluble in the solvent, dissolves faster and moves faster in the medium.


In the figure, all the ink spots are of different colours. The solubility of each colour is different in the solvent. Thus, each colour moves up at a different speed and attains a different height.