Paper chromatography

What is paper chromatography?

Paper chromatography is a process used to separate two or more soluble substances based upon different retention rates as a solvent moves up a strip of paper by capillary action. Substances are less attracted to the paper move up the quickest.

Common substances that can be separated by this method include colored food dyes and colored marker pens (Texta pens). Water is usually used as the solvent.

Chromatography Questions

1. What type of substances can be separated by paper chromatography?

2. In the above image O = yellow. What colors contain yellow?

3. What color has the greatest attraction to the paper? Why?

4. What color has the least attraction to the paper? Why?