Describe the principles of how paper chromatography works

Paper chromatography separates a mixture of solutions by their various solubilities. The less soluble components have a higher affinity to the stationary phase (the paper strip) while more soluble components have a higher affinity to the mobile phase, or solvent. They therefore travel up the strip at different speeds, causing them to separate out.

RD
Answered by Rebekah D. Chemistry tutor

3599 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the Haber process? What are the optimal conditions for the reaction and why are they not used in practice?


Potassium forms an ionic compound with sulfur. Describe what happens when two atoms of potassium react with one atom of sulfur. Give your answer in terms of electron transfer. Give the formulae of the ions formed.


How does a fractional distillation tower work?


What is an isotope?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning