Which statement about chromatography is true?

Which statement about chromatography is true?

• A. It cannot separate mixture components.
• B. It can only identify, not quantify, components.
• C. It relies on a single phase to achieve separation.
• D. It separates a mixture into its individual components.

Answer: (D)

Chromatography works by separating a mixture into its components through differential partitioning between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Because each component interacts differently with these two phases, they migrate at different rates and become separated as distinct spots or peaks. This separation is the fundamental result of the technique, enabling isolation of individual components for identification and quantification when paired with appropriate detectors and calibration. The idea that chromatography cannot separate components is incorrect, and it’s also false that it only identifies without quantifying or that it relies on a single phase—chromatography requires at least two phases to achieve separation.

Chromatography works by separating a mixture into its components through differential partitioning between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Because each component interacts differently with these two phases, they migrate at different rates and become separated as distinct spots or peaks. This separation is the fundamental result of the technique, enabling isolation of individual components for identification and quantification when paired with appropriate detectors and calibration. The idea that chromatography cannot separate components is incorrect, and it’s also false that it only identifies without quantifying or that it relies on a single phase—chromatography requires at least two phases to achieve separation.