What is chromatography?

What is chromatography?

• A. A technique used to separate a mixture into its individual components.
• B. A method to measure the pH of a solution.
• C. A process to identify the color of a solution.
• D. A procedure to increase solution viscosity.

Answer: (A)

Chromatography is a method for separating a mixture into its individual components. It works by moving the mixture with a mobile phase (liquid or gas) through or over a stationary phase. Each component interacts differently with the stationary phase, so they spend different amounts of time in the mobile phase and travel at different speeds. This causes them to separate into distinct spots or peaks, making it possible to identify or purify each component. It’s not about measuring pH, identifying color, or changing viscosity, which is why that separation-focused description best fits what chromatography accomplishes.

Chromatography is a method for separating a mixture into its individual components. It works by moving the mixture with a mobile phase (liquid or gas) through or over a stationary phase. Each component interacts differently with the stationary phase, so they spend different amounts of time in the mobile phase and travel at different speeds. This causes them to separate into distinct spots or peaks, making it possible to identify or purify each component. It’s not about measuring pH, identifying color, or changing viscosity, which is why that separation-focused description best fits what chromatography accomplishes.