Analysing chemicals - Chromatography

Felt-tip pen chromatography

Method
1 Collect the piece of chromatography paper and draw a PENCIL line 2cm above the bottom
of it ie:

2 In PENCIL put 6 crosses along the line (NOT AT THE ENDS OF THE LINE) ie:

3 Using 6 different coloured felt-tip pens mark a small spot of ink on each cross.
4 Write down the colours used below:

Pen Colour(s)

5
C1b: 13 continued

5 Roll the paper until it just overlaps, and fasten it top and bottom with paperclips to make
a cylinder.

6 Put 1cm depth of water in a large beaker and stand the cylinder in the water

7 Leave until water has risen up to about 1cm from the top of the paper – do not let it
reach the top. CAREFULLY remove from the beaker and take off the paperclips. Lay the
paper onto paper towels, using the towels to dry the paper.

Results
8 Stick your chromatogram below:
9 Calculate the Rf values of the highest spot for each of the six different colours:

Pen Rf value(s)

6
S