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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the mobile phase in paper chromatography?
How does paper chromatography achieve the separation of components in a mixture?
What role does the stationary phase play in paper chromatography?
Which of the following materials is commonly used as the stationary phase in paper chromatography?
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What phenomenon causes the solvent to move up the paper during paper chromatography?
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In which situation would a component of a mixture move the furthest up the paper during chromatography?
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What is the initial step in the procedure for paper chromatography?
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What defines the 'baseline' in paper chromatography?
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What is the stationary phase in paper chromatography?
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What initiates the separation process in paper chromatography?
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The mobile phase in paper chromatography refers to?
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Which type of compounds are most effectively separated using paper chromatography?
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Why do some components of a mixture travel further up the paper during chromatography?
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Which of the following is NOT a limitation of paper chromatography?
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What does the retention factor (Rf) represent in paper chromatography?
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What is the main reason paper chromatography is considered qualitative and not quantitative?
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In paper chromatography, how are the separated components visually identified?
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What is the role of the solvent in the chromatography process?
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During the chromatography process, what might occur with volatile substances?
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What is a common use case for paper chromatography in food safety?
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Which of the following applications does paper chromatography not typically serve?
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Which method might be used following paper chromatography for more detailed analysis?
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What advantage does paper chromatography offer over other separation methods?
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What factor primarily influences the distance a component travels on the paper?
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What is the primary limitation of paper chromatography?
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What occurs when the solvent level is placed above the baseline in paper chromatography?
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What will happen to a substance that is highly soluble in the mobile phase during paper chromatography?
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Which of the following factors can lead to poor separation in paper chromatography?
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What is the primary purpose of paper chromatography in ink analysis?
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Which factor does NOT influence the separation of components in paper chromatography?
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What does the Rf value specifically help to identify in paper chromatography?
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Which option describes a common misconception about paper chromatography?
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Why is it recommended to use pencil for the baseline in paper chromatography?
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Which choice is NOT a reason for poor separation in paper chromatography?
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What type of mixture is most likely to be effectively separated by paper chromatography?
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What does the Rf value compare to determine substance identity?
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How does the affinity of a component for the stationary phase affect its movement in paper chromatography?
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Which of the following statements about paper chromatography is false?
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Which process should be used instead of paper chromatography for separating gases?
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If the solvent in paper chromatography evaporates too quickly, what effect could this have?
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Study Notes
Paper Chromatography
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Paper chromatography is a technique to separate mixtures based on the components' differing affinities for a stationary phase (paper) and a mobile phase (solvent).
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The components in a mixture experience differential partitioning between the two phases, leading to their separation.
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The solvent moves up the paper by capillary action, carrying the components.
Stationary Phase
- The stationary phase is the filter paper, usually made of cellulose.
- The paper contains water molecules, making it a partition chromatography method.
Mobile Phase
- The mobile phase is a suitable solvent or solvent mixture (e.g., water, alcohol, acetone).
Procedure
- A small drop of the mixture is applied to a baseline on the paper.
- The paper is dipped into the solvent, allowing it to move up the paper by capillary action.
- The components separate as they travel at different rates depending on their solubility in the solvent and affinity for the paper.
- Components with higher solubility in the mobile phase travel further up the paper.
- Components with a higher affinity for the stationary phase (the paper) move less.
- The separated components form distinct spots on the paper, representing different substances in the mixture.
Retention Factor (Rf)
- Rf is calculated as the distance traveled by the solute divided by the distance traveled by the solvent front.
- Rf is a valuable tool for identifying unknown substances by comparing their Rf values with known standards.
Applications
- Identifying compounds in inks or dyes
- Separating pigments (e.g., chlorophyll, carotenoids)
- Biochemical analysis (e.g., separating amino acids, nucleotides, sugars)
Advantages
- Simple and inexpensive
- Fast and easy
- Requires a minimal sample
- Suitable for soluble compounds
- Portable
Limitations
- Limited resolution
- Qualitative, not quantitative
- Not suitable for volatile substances
- Limited to small sample sizes
- Time-consuming for complex mixtures
Example: Food Dye Analysis
- Paper chromatography can be used to check if food dyes are safe and legal.
- The colors on the chromatogram can be compared to known standards to identify any unexpected or illegal dyes.
Question & Answer
- Question 1: The stationary phase in paper chromatography is the filter paper.
- Question 2: The mobile phase in paper chromatography is the solvent that moves through the paper.
- Question 3: Paper chromatography relies on the principle of differential partitioning between the stationary and mobile phases.
- Question 9: Paper chromatography is used in ink analysis to identify the different pigments in the ink.
- Question 10: The thickness of the paper does not affect the separation of components in paper chromatography.
- Question 11: A pencil is used for drawing the baseline because it does not dissolve in the solvent.
- Question 12: Paper chromatography is least effective for separating gases.
- Question 13: If the solvent level is above the baseline, the sample will dissolve into the solvent and wash away.
- Question 14: Incorrect solvent selection, too much sample applied, and using a solvent that is too strong can cause poor separation.
- Question 15: The Rf value is used to identify unknown substances by comparing their Rf values with known ones.
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Description
Explore the principles and procedures of paper chromatography, a technique used to separate mixtures based on their differential affinities for stationary and mobile phases. Understand the roles of the stationary phase, mobile phase, and the methodology involved in the separation process.