Colorful Chromatography

Overview

Chromatography is a technique used to break down mixtures into their components. Based on polarity, the components of mixtures travel different lengths on chromatography paper, so the objective of this experiment was to verify the effect of different colors of food dye on the distance traveled by their component(s) on a chromatogram. The hypothesis was the blue dye would travel the farthest, being most attracted to the mobile solvent. To test, these materials were needed: twenty Chromatography Paper Strips, 600mL of Isopropyl Alcohol, Yellow, Blue, and Red food dye, measuring cup (5 mL), four 470mL glasses, four binder clips, 20 sticky notes,, and four skewers. After labeling glasses A,B,C, and D, pour 30 mL isopropyl alcohol into Glass A. Next, draw a line 2 centimeters above the bottom of a chromatography paper. Drop red dye onto the line using a toothpick. Clip the paper to a skewer, then position it inside the glass so the baseline is hovering over the solvent. Wait 5 minutes, then remove the strip from the glass. Draw a horizontal line at the point at which the solvent stopped moving. Record the distance traveled by the component(s). Repeat previous steps three more times, changing the dye and glass used. Perform previous steps four more times to conduct 5 trials. The hypothesis was supported ; on average, the blue dye traveled 3.14 centimeters, the mix dye traveled 3.08 centimeters, red dye traveled 2.24 centimeters, and yellow dye traveled 1.36 centimeters.

Awards (1)

• Category Award: HM

Competition history

• CSEF 2023 Chemistry · Entry J0628

Resources

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