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Describe with the aid of labelled diagrams an experiment you carried out to separate a mixture of three indicators using chromatography - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 10(a) - 2016
Question 10(a)
Describe with the aid of labelled diagrams an experiment you carried out to separate a mixture of three indicators using chromatography. Identify (i) the mobile pha... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Describe with the aid of labelled diagrams an experiment you carried out to separate a mixture of three indicators using chromatography - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 10(a) - 2016
Step 1
Describe the chromatography experiment
Answer
To separate a mixture of three indicators using paper chromatography, begin by preparing your materials:
- Materials Required: You will need chromatography paper, a solvent (such as water), a pencil, and a dropper.
- Preparing the Sample: Using the dropper, place a small dot of the mixture (containing the three indicators) about 2 cm from the bottom of the chromatography paper.
- Setting up the Experiment: Fill a beaker or suitable container with about 1 cm of the solvent. The solvent should not touch the dot of the mixture.
- Conducting the Experiment: Carefully place the chromatography paper upright in the beaker, ensuring the dot is above the solvent. Allow the solvent to rise by capillary action, moving up the paper and carrying the indicators with it.
- Observation and Labelling: Once the solvent has traveled a sufficient distance (usually until about 2 cm from the top), remove the paper. You will notice distinct spots corresponding to the individual indicators.
Label the final positions of the solvent front and the colored spots clearly. These labels are crucial for the analysis.
Step 2
Identify (i) the mobile phase, (ii) the stationary phase
Answer
- Mobile Phase: The mobile phase in this experiment is the solvent used (e.g., water). It moves up the chromatography paper.
- Stationary Phase: The stationary phase is the chromatography paper itself, which provides a surface for the indicators to separate.
Step 3
Describe and explain the result of your experiment
Answer
The result of the chromatography experiment shows several distinct spots on the paper, each representing a component of the original mixture. The distance traveled by each spot indicates its solubility and interaction with the solvent and the paper. Generally:
- More soluble indicators move further up the paper, as they have a higher affinity for the mobile phase.
- Less soluble indicators remain closer to the origin, showing a stronger interaction with the stationary phase.
This separation allows us to analyze and identify the individual components present in the original mixture based on their migration distances.