Prescribed Practical 4: Chromatography of photosynthetic pigments
- SKILL: 2.9.S3 Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph
What is Chromatography?
Chromatography is an experimental technique by which mixtures can be separated
Chromatography is an experimental technique by which mixtures can be separated
- A mixture is dissolved in a fluid (called the mobile phase) and passed through a static material (called the stationary phase)
- The different components of the mixture travel at different speeds, causing them to separate
- A retardation factor can then be calculated (Rf value = distance component travels ÷ distance solvent travels)
- Paper chromatography – uses paper (cellulose) as the stationary bed
- Thin layer chromatography – uses a thin layer of adsorbent (e.g. silica gel) which runs faster and has better separation
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