explain the step by step in simple paper chromatography process
Answers
Paper chromatography works in few steps:
Step 1: A horizontal line is drawn near one end (about 1.5 cm from the bottom edge) of the paper. In figure below 6 is the horizontal line.
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Step 2: The sample needs to be separated is placed as a small drop or line on to the paper using capillary tube. Labelling the drop by a pencil with an alphabet or number help to identify the compound later. In figure above 3 and 4 are the drops labelled. The drops are then soaked on the paper and dried.
Step 3: The paper is then placed into a sealed container with a swallow layer of suitable solvent. The solvent level must be lower than the pencil line or drop on it. The container need to be covered to stop the solvent to evaporate.
Step 4: The solvent rises up the paper chromatography taking each component of the sample with it. The components travel with the solvent depends on three things:
Step 5: When the solvent rises near the end of the paper then the paper should be taken out from sealed container and air dried. The paper with separated bands of components are then observed under UV-light.