An analytical chemist uses gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) to separate a mixture of volatile organic compounds.
Which of the following statements correctly identifies the mobile phase and the main physical basis for separation in this column?
The mobile phase is the carrier gas; separation depends on the partition of the compounds between the mobile carrier gas and the stationary liquid phase.
The mobile phase is the liquid layer; separation is achieved by the physical adsorption of compounds onto the inert solid support wall.
The mobile phase is the carrier gas; separation is independent of the stationary liquid layer and is solely determined by condensation rates inside the oven.
The mobile phase is the solid inner support wall; separation depends on the differential capillary flow rate of the compounds through the column.