paper chromatography lab

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Seattle Central College *

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163

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Chemistry

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Apr 3, 2024

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pdf

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3

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Paper Chromatography Purpose/Question To observe differences in the properties of substances to determine if they can be separated. Prelab questions Using the viscosities reported in the previous table, predict which solvent would travel through the chromatography paper the fastest when the edge of a 2-cm wide trip of chromatography paper was dipped in solvent, one solvent per paper. Explain. Given the viscosities, I predict water will travel the quickest, because if viscosity is the measurement of how easily a substance moves, then a substance like glycerin will have a low viscosity, while a substance like water will move at a quicker rate, therefore having a higher viscosity. Suggest a chemistry-based reason why she opted for the pencil. Pencils use graphite, which, compared with pen ink’s molecular mass, has a low molecular mass. This makes it easier for the solute to be separated and observed due to its higher energy and quicker movement. Explain why Kim as able to observe the two solutes in the second chromatogram, but not the first. The second chromatography yielded better results because the additional solution allowed for the distilled water to carry the solutes higher into the surface of the paper, resulting in Kim being able to observe the solute compounds more easily. Based on Kim’s observation and the mass data, state which solute moved faster (went further in the same amount of time). How well did the data support the claim that mass affects the ability of solutes to separate? The copper nitrate will move faster because of its smaller molecular mass. Bromephenol blue had a larger molecular mass, leading to its slower movement. Suppose the green food color consisted of two dyes. Describe what Kim would observe in the dried chromatogram above the pencil spot on which the green food color was placed. She’d observe a separation in the food’s coloring. The different substances would have different viscosities, meaning that they go through the paper at different rates. What differences in the chromatograms might Kim observe, as a result of changing the solvent from water (Pre-Lab 5) to isopropyl alcohol (Pre-Lab 6)? Kim might observe lower molecular motion as the substance goes through the paper than in the second trial because the viscosity of the water is lower, leading to it moving faster. Why was it important to measure to the top of the streak every time? Because parts of the streaks aren’t visible (the color might not have formed). If the solute moves up the paper, the starting point will be different, leading to the colors becoming more visible. Hypothesis If I use different solutions, then they will travel through the paper at different speeds that are proportionate with their molecular mass. Materials/Equipment Bromophenol Blue Copper Nitrate Reaction Plate Pipette
Chromatography paper 150 mL beaker Food coloring Vegetable oil Ink Procedure First, I combined bromophenol blue and copper nitrate in a reaction plate to make a solution, mixing thoroughly. Then I used a pipette to collect my solution and put a drop of it on my chromatography paper. I waited till this dried, and then I rolled up my chromatography paper and put it in my 150 mL beaker, making sure the marked side faced downwards. Then I observed the solutions as they moved up the paper, and repeated the process. Conclusion Yes - as the substance with the lowest molecular weight, water traveled the fastest toward the paper. Post lab questions The first question had me make a diagram, which is pictured in the scanned pages. 2. A Sample known to contain two components showed only one spot, with Rf = 0.05, when a chromatogram was made using water as the solvent. Suggest a modification to the procedure that may result in a better separation of the two components. A modification that could yield better separation would be repeating the experiment one more time with a solvent that has a lower polarity. 3. The food coloring mixture is made up of three substances which are listed in the table below. What was the sequence of colors that you saw on the papers for each solvent? Water - red, yellow, blue Alcohol - yellow, red, blue 4. Why do you think the separated dye spots in the chromatogram had different lengths? The separated dye spots most likely had different lengths due to the differences in molar masses. The lowest molar mass traveled the farthest and made the smallest dye stain, while the largest made the biggest. 5. Answer the following questions as you think about the interactions between carrier solutions and components to be separated using chromatography. What carrier solutions might work well to separate newspaper inks? Why? Alcohol, since it dissolves well. What carrier solution might work to separate different salts? Why? Water, because salts are water-soluble. What carrier solution might work to separate different fatty acids? Why? Oils are good carrier solutions for fatty acids because their similar solutes are good solvents. They’re also hydrophobic. Communicate results This will be done when you turn in your lab report.
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