Question

Which of the following is used to separate complex mixtures like colored dyes from ink?

• A. Evaporation
• B. Chromatography
• C. Separating funnel
• D. Distillation

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Chromatography

The explanation for the correct option -

• Chromatography is a technique of separating two (or more) dissolved solids that are present in a solution in very small quantities.
• For example - Black ink is a mixture of many-coloured chemicals (or dyes) that can be separated using paper chromatography.

The explanation for the incorrect options -

• Option A is incorrect because evaporation is a process of conversion of liquid into its vapours, even before reaching its boiling point. This method is used to separate the mixture of soluble solid from its solution.
• Option C is incorrect because a separating funnel can be used to separate two immiscible liquids. A separating funnel is a specific sort of funnel that contains a stop-cock (or tap) in its stem that allows or stops the flow of liquid from it. The difference in densities between two immiscible liquids determines the separation by a separating funnel.
• Option D is incorrect because distillation is the process of separation of a liquid from its solution with a solid constituent by heating the liquid to its vapour form and then cooling the vapour to get back the pure liquid.

Hence, Option B is the correct answer.