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Chromatography

The document describes a chromatography experiment to separate the dyes in methyl orange. A strip of chromatography paper was prepared with a pencil line and dot of methyl orange. The paper was suspended in a beaker of water so that the water rose up the paper, separating the dyes based on their solubility. The results were recorded by measuring the distance traveled by each dye component and calculating their Rf values for comparison. The dyes were then identified based on their relative solubility in water.

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Khadija Parris
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160 views2 pages

Chromatography

The document describes a chromatography experiment to separate the dyes in methyl orange. A strip of chromatography paper was prepared with a pencil line and dot of methyl orange. The paper was suspended in a beaker of water so that the water rose up the paper, separating the dyes based on their solubility. The results were recorded by measuring the distance traveled by each dye component and calculating their Rf values for comparison. The dyes were then identified based on their relative solubility in water.

Uploaded by

Khadija Parris
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Title: Separating a mixture using Chromatography

Aim: To separate the dyes in screened methyl orange by paper chromatography.

Apparatus: chromatography paper, pin, beaker, glass rod

Materials: screened methyl orange, distilled water

Method (Always write in past tense): The depth of the beaker was measured with a meter rule.

This depth was designated the length of the filter paper. The filter paper was cut into a

rectangular strip 4cm wide and the length was the depth of the beaker. A pencil line was drawn

across the strip, 2cm above the bottom of the paper. The line was marked in the middle with a

pencil dot. The top of the strip of the paper was attached to a glass rod, so that it was suspended

in the beaker and the lower edge was just above the bottom of the beaker. The pin was then used

to apply one dot of the screen methyl orange to the pencil dot. Water was placed into the beaker

so that when the strip of chromatography paper hung in the beaker, the bottom of the strip was

immersed in the water, but the screened methyl orange dot was above the water. The strip of

chromatography paper was hung in the beaker so that the water wet the bottom of the paper as

the colored dot spread up the chromatography paper as the water rose up the paper.

Treatment of Results
Affix your chromatograph in your lab book and make a line drawing of it similar to the one
shown below.
1. How many components are present in screened methyl orange?

2. Find the Rf (retention factor) of each component as follows:


Rf =
distance moved by component ¿ origin ¿ origin ¿
distance moved by solvent ¿

Component Distance travelled Distance travelled Rf Value


by components (cm) by solvent (cm)

Discussion:

1. Explain the basis of the chromatography technique.


2. What are Rf values? Compare the Rf values of the components.
3. Which of the dyes in methyl orange is more soluble in water? Explain your answer.

Limitations/Sources of Error

1. Handling the paper with wet hands allows for additional uncontrolled moisture to the
paper which will interfere with separation of components.
2. Incorrect drawing and measurements of lines.

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