What Do You Know About Chromatography? Quiz

Chromatography is a technique used to separate the components of a mixture, specifically liquids. It works based on the principle that different components of a mixture have different affinities for a stationary phase and a mobile phase. By passing the mixture through a stationary phase, the components will separate based on their differing affinities, allowing for their identification and analysis. Therefore, the purpose of chromatography is to separate liquids.

The correct answer is "The mobile phase." In chromatography, the mixture is poured into a fluid called the mobile phase. This fluid carries the mixture through a stationary phase, allowing the components of the mixture to separate based on their different affinities for the stationary phase. The mobile phase can be a liquid or a gas, depending on the type of chromatography being used.

The analyte refers to the substance that is being separated during chromatography. In chromatography, a mixture is passed through a stationary phase, and the different components of the mixture interact differently with the stationary phase, leading to their separation. The analyte is the specific component of interest that is being isolated and identified during this process.

The correct answer is "The solvent." In chemistry, a solvent is a substance that is capable of dissolving or solubilizing another substance, known as the solute. Solvents are typically liquids, such as water, alcohol, or acetone, and they play a crucial role in various chemical processes and reactions. They help to create solutions by dissolving solutes, allowing for the formation of homogeneous mixtures. Solvents also play a role in determining the physical and chemical properties of a solution, such as its boiling point, freezing point, and viscosity.

A chromatogram is the visual output of the chromatograph because it is a graphical representation of the components of a mixture that have been separated by the chromatograph. The chromatograph separates the mixture into its individual components, and the resulting chromatogram allows for the visualization and analysis of these components. This visual output is essential for identifying and quantifying the different substances present in the mixture.

The correct answer is "Eluent". In chromatography, the eluent refers to the solvent that carries the analyte through the stationary phase. It helps to separate and transport the components of the mixture being analyzed.

The term "eluate" refers to the mobile phase that exits the column in a chromatography process. It is the solution that carries the sample components through the column and separates them based on their interaction with the stationary phase. Therefore, "eluate" is the correct answer in this context.

An eluotropic series is a list of solvents ranked according to their eluting power. It helps in determining the order in which solvents will elute or separate different compounds in a chromatographic separation. The eluotropic series is useful in selecting the appropriate solvent for a specific separation, as solvents with higher eluting power will be able to separate compounds more effectively.

Preparative chromatography is used to purify sufficient quantities of a substance for further use, rather than analysis. This technique involves separating and collecting the desired compound from a mixture using a stationary phase and a mobile phase. It is commonly used in industries and research laboratories to isolate and obtain pure compounds in larger quantities for various applications such as drug development, chemical synthesis, and purification of natural products.

A bonded phase refers to a stationary phase in chromatography that is chemically bonded to either the support particles or the inside wall of the column tubing. This covalent bonding ensures that the stationary phase remains attached to the support, allowing for efficient separation and analysis of the sample components.