Science Lab

Chromatography
1. Question
Is the color you see on the tip of a marker its real color?
​Yes, the tip of a marker is it’s real color.

2. Research/Background Information
Have you heard of the word ​Chromatography​? What does it make you think of? In Greek,
chroma ​means color. Chromatography is the process of chemically separating substances. In this
experiment, you will separate ink into its components.

3. Hypothesis
If, then
If I put a blue dot on the paper then, it will stay the same color.
4. Experiment
Materials
strips of filter paper (coffee filters)
washable markers
beaker
water

Procedure
1. Cut the filter paper into thin strips (1 cm x 6 cm)
2. Use a colored marker to make a dot in the middle of the strip of filter paper.
3. Place the filter paper on pencil with a strip of tape and into a jar containing water so that the
tip of the paper touches the water. Wait for the water to rise through the paper and penetrate the
dot. Record your observations in the chart below.
5. Data Collection & Analysis

Data Table
Dot Color When Dry Dot Color When Wet

A.​Pink A.​Red

B.​Brown and Blue B.​Green

C.​Purple C.​Magenta

D.​Green D.​Aqua
Describe what happened when the water “touched” the dot of color?
​When the water touched the of color for ex. Blue, when it touched the water it turned light blue.

How might this process be helpful in a forensic science investigation?

​This process could be helpful in a F.S.I. by putting two colors then put it in the water to see
what color it makes.

6. Conclusion

I learned that ​doing this experiment could help us learn more colors that we don’t know.