📖 Theory & Concepts ▼

Paper Chromatography

A separation technique based on differential adsorption of components on paper (stationary phase) and movement with solvent (mobile phase).

Principle:

Components separate based on their relative affinity for the stationary phase (paper) vs mobile phase (solvent). More soluble = travels farther.

Rf Value (Retention Factor)

Rf = Distance moved by solute / Distance moved by solvent
Each compound has unique Rf under same conditions
Leaf Pigments (in order of Rf):

Carotene (orange) > Xanthophyll (yellow) > Chlorophyll a (blue-green) > Chlorophyll b (yellow-green)

Select Sample

Solvent:
Petroleum ether : Acetone (9:1)

Chromatography Chamber

baseline

📊 Rf Values

Rf = Distance of spot / Distance of solvent front
Run chromatography to see results
Principle:
Components separate based on differential adsorption and partition between stationary (paper) and mobile (solvent) phases.

Observations

Select a sample to begin...