1. Paper Chromatography Lab Technique

2. Materials What’s Needed: Chromatography Paper
Solvent (Petroleum Ether / Acetone)
Substance (concentrated solution)
Closed container

4. Background Info.
A concentrated solution is applied to an area on the chromo paper.
Chromo Paper is dipped in a solvent.
Solvent moves up the paper via capillary action (ability of a substance to draw another substance to it; i.e. adhesion/cohesion of H2O).
This is due to the solvent molecules’ attraction to the chromo paper.

5. As the solvent meets the concentrated solution it dissolves it.
The solvent and now dissolved solution move up the paper.
Different substances in the solution travel up the paper at different rates.
This is due to differences in solubility in the solvent.
Also due to differences in attraction to the paper fibers.

6. Time / Results
Time: Takes minutes to hours depending on the substance.
Results: We are looking for 4 pigment molecules
Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, xanthophyll, & carotene.

7. http://images. google. com/imgres. imgurl=http://www. regentsprep

8. More Results / Data Looking for pigment distance traveled.
Can calculate Rf (Retention factor).
Rf = Distance traveled by pigment / distance traveled by solvent.