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Chromatography-Experiment-MCBB

The document outlines a chromatography experiment aimed at separating and identifying colors in food dye and printer ink. It details the principles of chromatography, the materials and methods used, and provides a step-by-step procedure for conducting the experiment. Additionally, it includes a data table for recording observations and questions to analyze the results.

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2 views

Chromatography-Experiment-MCBB

The document outlines a chromatography experiment aimed at separating and identifying colors in food dye and printer ink. It details the principles of chromatography, the materials and methods used, and provides a step-by-step procedure for conducting the experiment. Additionally, it includes a data table for recording observations and questions to analyze the results.

Uploaded by

nonexistent100010
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Separation Process - Chromatography

Objective
To separate and identify the colors found in a type of commercial food
dye and printer ink.

Introduction

Chromatography is a technique used to separate the different


components in a mixture. All chromatography techniques consist of two
major components: the stationary phase and the mobile phase. The
method consists of dissolving the mixture in a suitable solvent and
which is then carried over the surface of the stationary phase.

Separation is possible because different substances have different


degrees of absorption or solubility between the stationary and the
mobile phase. The component will move along the stationary phase at
different speeds, and thus separated. In paper chromatography, the
stationary space is the strip of chromatography paper, and the mobile
phase is suitable solvent.

By comparing the Retention Factor (Rf ) Value of the component with


the Rf value of known substances, the component in the mixture can be
identified. The value of Rf for each of the component in the mixture can
be identified. The value of Rf for each of the component is calculated
using the formula:

Rf = distance moved by the component


distance moved by the solvent
Materials and Methods
Graduated cylinder
Chromatography paper/ TLC plate/ Filter paper
Developing Chamber/ Beaker
Tweezers
Pencil
Ruler
Scissor and Cutter
Capillary tubes
Food dye
Ethanol
0.1% NaCl
Distilled Water
Printer Ink

Procedure:
1. Prepare the following solvent system:
a. For the food dye – Ethanol: Distilled Water (3:1)
b. For the Ink – 0.10% NaCl
2. Place the solvent system in the developing chamber until it reaches 1.5
cm depth.
3. Cut a rectangular shaped piece of the TLC plate (or filter paper –
Whatman No.1) that could fit perfectly in the developing chamber.
4. With a pencil, lightly draw a line parallel to the short dimension about 2
cm from the edge on the TLC plate (or filter paper).
5. Lightly write 2 small x’s on the line, about 3 cm apart. Get a scrap of
filter paper and practice applying small (1-2 mm diameter) spots on the
paper.
6. Lay the filter paper down on a clean surface and carefully apply a small
spot of food color/ ink on the first x mark. Then put the second food
color/ ink on the second x mark. Write a letter beside the spots to
identify the color of the dye/ ink spotted. See the figure below.
7. Allow the spots to dry by gently waving the paper in the air for 5 mins
or use hair dryer.
8. After the TLC plate (or filter paper) has dried, submerge approximately
1.5 cm of the filter paper in the solution, placing the spots at the bottom
and taking care that the paper does not touch the wall of the beaker.
The spots must be above the surface of the solvent in the beaker.

9. The value of Rf was obtained for each of the spots separated. The
distance moved by the solvent front and the distance moved by the color
components from the starting line.
Separation Process – Chromatography

Group No.:______ Date:__________________


Members:
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________

Data and Observation:

Solvent Sample Color of Distance of Distance Rf


System component movement of
of solvent
component front
(cm) (cm)

Yellow 9.0 13.0 9.0


13.0
= 0.69

Blue 11 13.0 11.5


13.0
= 0.88

.5

Yellow 9.0 13.0 9.0


13.0
= 0.69

Blue 13.0 11.5


13.0
= 0.88

11.5
Answer the following questions:

a) Using your result from the table above, identify the color components in
the sample of food dye and ink provided.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

b) In this chromatography experiment, state the substance that function


as the
i. Stationary phase: ____________________________________
ii. Mobile phase: ________________________________________

c) Explain how you would ensure that the drop of food dye/ ink at the
starting line is concentrated and small in size?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

d) Explain why the starting line containing the drops of food dye solution/
ink must be placed above the solvent level at the beginning of the
experiment?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

e) State the steps taken to ensure effective separation.


________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

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