What is chromatography? Discuss paper chromatography. What are the uses of paper chromatography?
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Solution
Chromatography: Chromatography is a process for separating constituents of a mixture. The different mobile components of the mixture travel through the stationary phase (solvent) at different speeds, making them separated.
Paper chromatography: Paper chromatography is an analytical technique used to separate colored chemicals or substances.
In paper chromatography, chromatography paper is used. This paper contains water trapped in it, which acts as the stationary phase.
On the base of this chromatography paper, the solution of the mixture is spotted.
The paper strip is then suspended in a suitable solvent, which acts as the mobile phase.
This solvent rises up the chromatography
paper by capillary action and in the procedure, it flows over the spot.
The components are selectively retained on the paper (according to their differing partition in these two phases).
The spots of different components travel with the mobile phase to different heights.
The paper so obtained (shown in the given figure) is known as a chromatogram.
Paper Chromatography Applications:
We use paper chromatography to study the process of fermentation and ripening.
We use paper chromatography to check the purity of pharmaceuticals.
