This deep dive covers Paper Chromatography Method within Chromatography for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Chromatography in Chemical Analysis for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 3 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 13
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
📄 Paper Chromatography Method
- Draw a pencil line near the bottom of the chromatography paper (the start line)
- Use a capillary tube to place a small, concentrated spot of sample on the start line
- Allow the spot to dry completely
- Pour solvent into a beaker to a depth of about 1 cm
- Place the paper so the bottom touches the solvent but the start line is above the solvent level
- Cover with a watch glass to prevent evaporation
- Wait for the solvent to rise — this is the solvent front
- Remove the paper when the solvent is near the top, and immediately mark the solvent front with pencil
- Allow to dry and measure distances
Critical Points
- Use pencil not pen — ink would dissolve and run with the solvent
- The start line must remain above the solvent, otherwise the sample dissolves directly into the beaker
- Keep sample spots small for clean, well-separated spots