This question is about chromatography.
A student wants to analyze the synthetic blue dye used in a sample of a commercial energy drink concentrate.
Plan an investigation to determine the Rf R_f\,Rf value of the blue dye in this energy drink.
Your plan should describe how to use:
- a chromatography paper strip
- a beaker with a lid
- a suitable solvent (such as an aqueous ethanol solution)
- a capillary tube containing the concentrated energy drink sample
Include the measurements required and the formula used to calculate the final Rf R_f\,Rf value. You may use the diagram below to guide your description of the measurements.
Two students performed paper chromatography on the same energy drink sample to identify the blue dye, but obtained different Rf R_f\,Rf values for it.
Which of the following differences in their investigations would result in different Rf R_f\,Rf values?
- Using a wider beaker
- Leaving the chromatography paper in the solvent for a longer duration
- Using a different solvent mixture
- Using a longer strip of chromatography paper
In paper chromatography, a liquid solvent rises up a paper strip to separate the components of a mixture.
What is the stationary phase in this process?
- Beaker
- Energy drink sample
- Paper
- Solvent