📖 Theory & Concepts▼

What is Paper Chromatography?

A technique for separating and identifying mixtures of coloured substances (like dyes/inks). It relies on the different rates at which components of a mixture move through the paper (stationary phase) when carried by a solvent (mobile phase).

  • Stationary Phase: Chromatography paper (cellulose)
  • Mobile Phase: Solvent (water or alcohol)
  • Rf value: Distance moved by component ÷ Distance moved by solvent

Ink Samples

Different inks contain different dye combinations:

Black ink → Blue + Red + Yellow
Green ink → Blue + Yellow
Purple ink → Blue + Red

🎯 Select Ink

Procedure
1

Place ink spot on chromatography paper near the bottom.

2

Dip the paper into solvent (water) — ink spot must stay above solvent level.

3

Solvent rises by capillary action, carrying dye components.

4

Different dyes travel different distances — separation occurs!

Ready — Select ink and start
Water (solvent) Origin
Lab Journal
Waiting for experiment...

Components Found

Run experiment to see results