Mixtures and Separations

By the end of this lesson, you

should be able to:
1) Describe the properties considered
when selecting a method/technique
for separating a mixture
2) Apply suitable separation techniques
based on differences in properties of
the components of mixtures
3) Draw line diagrams to represent each
separation process

1
Chromatography
Chromatography is a method used to separate and identify the components
of a homogenous liquid mixture. The mixture is usually colored but may also
be colorless.

Chromatography can be used to separate and identify the different

dyes that make up black ink
Simulation
Use the following link to carry out a chromatography experiment and answer
the follow-up questions.
Link: https://app.wizer.me/preview/8YN5YW

Class Discussion
1) Describe the technique that was used to carry out the
separation.
2) What materials will we need to carry out chromatography?
3) What is the property of the components in the mixture that this
technique is based on?
4) Based on the simulation, devise a list of steps for carrying out
chromatography
Chromatography
How is chromatography carried out?
To carry out paper chromatography you will
need the following materials:
1. Chromatography paper
2. A suitable solvent
3. A chromatography chamber- A beaker and a
watch glass
4. Pencil and ruler
5. The mixture being separated
 Chromatography
How is chromatography carried out?
Method:
1. Use a ruler and a pencil to draw the datum line (line of
origin) 1.5 – 2 cm from the base of your chromatography
paper. Mark an ‘X’ in the center of the line
2. Use a capillary tube to place a small amount of your
mixture on the X and allow it to dry completely.
3. Add a small amount of your solvent to your
chromatography chamber- just enough to cover the
bottom of the container.
4. Suspend your chromatography paper into the solvent
making sure that the datum line is above the level of the
solvent.
5. Allow it to stand undisturbed for 15 – 20 minutes or until
the solvent stops moving along the chromatography
paper.
6. Remove the chromatography paper and use a pencil to
draw a line where the solvent stopped. Allow it to dry
completely.
How does Chromatography work
It works based on the principle that the
components in the mixture have different Paper Chromatography
solubilities and polarities in the same solvent.
The chromatography strip is placed in a
chromatography chamber with the solvent.
The solvent moves up the strip of paper by capillary
action.
As it moves up the strip, the components dissolve in the
solvent and travels along the paper at different rates.
As the solvent moves up the
The more soluble substance (s) will get chromatography paper, the
components in the mixture dissolve in
carried along faster by the solvent it and travel at different rates up the
and move further ahead than the chromatography chamber.
less soluble substances.
Applications of Chromatography
Chromatography can be used to detect and identify very small quantities of
substances. It is used to detect banned dyes used in food colorings, and detect illegal
drugs used by athletes during major competitions.
1. Explain the principle behind the
chromatography separation technique
2. Explain why a pencil, and not a pen, is used
to draw the line of origin
Types of Chromatography
Paper Chromatography High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Gas Chromatography Column Chromatography

 Setup for paper chromatography
-The starting line (called the datum Basic set-up of a
line) must be drawn in pencil, not chromatography
ink. This is because unlike ink, pencil chamber
lead is insoluble in the solvent and will
not interfere with the chromatogram.
solvent front
-The spots of mixtures must be placed glass cover chromatography
above the solvent level, so that they paper

will not immediately dissolve in the

solvent, and the solvent has time to starting line
slowly move up. large
beaker

solvent

-The solvent front must be allowed to move as far up the paper as

possible to ensure that all the dyes are separated.
The stationary phase and the mobile phase
Look at the giphy below. What do you think is the ‘mobile’ phase?
And what do you think is the ‘stationary’ phase?

Now link this to the chromatography set-up on the previous slide.

What is the stationary, and mobile phase?

The stationary phase and the mobile phase

chromatography paper- THE STATIONARY PHASE

Solvent- THE MOBILE PHASE

The mobile phase is the substance (the solvent) that ‘moves’ over the
stationary phase. The mobile phase can be a liquid, or a gas.

The stationary phase is the substance or material along which the solvent,
and the components of the mixture, are moving.
Calculating the Rf value of a substance
Rf stands for retention factor. It is a measure of the solubility of the various
components of the mixture, in the solvent used.
Rf value = distance moved by a substance
distance moved by solvent front

(10 cm)
(7 cm)

E.g. Rf value of red dye = 7 cm = 0.7

10 cm

Sometimes the chromatogram needs to be sprayed with a locating

agent and placed under UV light to make the colorless
spots/separations in the chromatogram visible.
14
Table for recording chromatography data and Rf
Rf stands for retention factor. It is a measure of the solubility of the various
components of the mixture, in the solvent used.

Separated Distance moved by

component component along Rf value = distance moved by a substance
(pigment) chromatography
strip/ cm distance moved by solvent front

Solvent
Component
Paper Chromatography

16
Paper chromatography
Worked example
The chromatogram shows 3 single dyes
red, green and blue, and also four
unknown samples P, Q, R and S.
Identify the dyes present in each of the
samples, P, Q, R, S. c

Solution
Sample P contains green dye and one unknown dye.
Sample Q contains only blue dye.
Sample R contains green, blue and red dyes.
Sample S contains green and red dyes.