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Chemical AnalysisIntroduction

The Science Behind Solving Crimes

Part of Chromatography — GCSE Chemistry

This introduction covers The Science Behind Solving Crimes 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 1 of 13 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 13

Practice

20 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

🕵️ The Science Behind Solving Crimes

In 1995, a forger was caught because forensic scientists ran chromatography on ink from a document. The ink produced three spots — the forger had mixed different inks to try to match the original. The genuine signature produced only one spot. Paper chromatography, a technique invented in 1944, uses nothing more than paper and solvent to separate mixtures into their individual components. Today it helps catch criminals, test food dyes, and quality-check medicines.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Chromatography. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

What is Chromatography?Paper Chromatography MethodHow and Why Substances Separate

Practice Questions for Chromatography

What is the purpose of chromatography?

  • A. To separate the components of a mixture
  • B. To measure the mass of a substance
  • C. To change a substance from a solid to a liquid
  • D. To make a substance more concentrated
1 markfoundation

Explain how a chromatogram can be used to determine whether a substance is pure or a mixture.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is chromatography?
A separation technique used to separate mixtures into their individual components based on different affinities for mobile and stationary phases
What does Rf stand for and what does it measure?
Rf = Retention factor. It measures how far a substance travels compared to the solvent (distance moved by substance ÷ distance moved by solvent)

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