i measured 15mL of Ethyl Alcohol in a graduating cylinder. Then, we marked the line of the chromatography paper with a brown marker Then, we transferred the Ethyl alcohol into to beaker and quickly covered the top of the beaker with the aluminum foil. we shaped the chromatography paper into a cylinder using a masking tape. Once 2 minutes were over, we quickly lifted the aluminum foil, placed the chromatography paper inside the beaker, then placed the aluminum foil over the beaker again.we waited to see what was the result of the experiment. The results after the experiment we performed was that the Brown ink we marked on the Chromatography paper raised up the paper and spread into different kinds of colors. The colors we saw when we took out the Chromatography paper were the colors Orange and Purple.
my question is...why and how did those results happen??
2006-09-07 17:27:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
This is called thin layer chromatography.
You know that the brown ink inside the marker is made up of many different dyes. Each dye has its own color, and all colors add up, resulting the brown color you see.
The point is that some dyes have great affinity for paper (stationary phase), while some for solvent - ethyl alcohol, in this case (moving phase).
Those which prefer the solvent will be dragged along, for the solvent diffuses through the paper due to capillarity. That's why you see spots of different colors spread all through the paper.
The dyes which prefer the paper will attempt to stay still though.
2006-09-07 17:43:49 · answer #1 · answered by Illusional Self 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ethyl alcohol acted as a solvent for the ink. Ink is made up from different color dyes. The heavier the molecule of the dye, the slower it will move though the paper.
2006-09-08 00:37:27 · answer #2 · answered by Mr Cellophane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those results are the well known effect of treating chromatography paper with ethyl alcohol. I did the same thing last night at a party, to the amazement of all present (and sober).
A more general answer to your?: Because they can't UNhappen!
2006-09-08 00:33:31 · answer #3 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cellophane and illusional self are both half right. As the alcohol travels through the paper by capillary action it drags the various chemicals that make up the brown ink with it. Some of the chemicals travel faster than others. This causes them to separate and create different color bands.
2006-09-09 00:46:44 · answer #4 · answered by wires 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have no clue
2006-09-08 00:32:47 · answer #5 · answered by Aaliyah 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋