Paper Chromatography
VIDEO LINKS:
Lab Experiments (Write protocols and perform experiments based on these):
The pre-lab must include Experimental Protocol, Chemical Table and Equipment Table. The lab report includes all sections.
Experimental Protocol
Watch the experimental videos. Take notes on the protocol. Stop the video and re-watch as necessary to acquire the details of the procedure. Write out the protocol for each part of the experiment. (It can be written in sequential steps. Complete sentences are not necessary.) This is the protocol you follow, so be detailed.
Chemical Table
Prepare your chemical table including the materials you use in the experiment. Here is a general template that you may use.
| Chemical Name | Chemical Formula | Molar Mass (g/mol) | Hazards | reference | PPE |
| Sodium Chloride | NaCl | 58.5 | Skin irritation | https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/21105.htm | |
Equipment Table
Identify the equipment (type AND size) needed for the experiment and include the name and an image (picture) of each. Be sure to describe the equipment, how to use it, and why it is suitable for this use.
| Equipment Name | Equipment Picture | Intended Purpose |
Data Collection
(Acquiring competencies) Following your detailed protocol, perform all the experiments. Record your observations and take pictures of your key steps in the process. Your observations and images need to be incorporated in your data section and this section should be as detailed as possible as you will use this information to complete your discussion.
(Lab skills) Part 1: Food color with different solvents
Water as solvent
| Food color | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Red | |||
| Yellow | |||
| Green | |||
| blue | |||
| Solvent front |
Salt Water as solvent
| Food color | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Red | |||
| Yellow | |||
| Green | |||
| blue | |||
| Solvent front |
Isopropyl alcohol as solvent
| Food color | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Red | |||
| Yellow | |||
| Green | |||
| blue | |||
| Solvent front |
(Lab skills) Part 2: Candy coating _(enter type of candy)_ with different solvents
Water as solvent
| Candy | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Solvent front |
Salt Water as solvent
| Candy | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Solvent front |
Isopropyl alcohol as solvent
| Candy | Color 1 with range | Color 2 with range | Color 3 with range |
| Solvent front |
Data Processing
- (Analysis) To compare data between groups, identify how are the distances from the starting line standardized to take into account different run times. Provide an example from your data.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Identify the primary colors. Identify the secondary colors.
- (Analysis) Provide evidence to indicate whether the primary colors of the food dye were made up of a single-color dye.
- (Analysis) Provide a supported explanation for using 3 different solvents to investigate your dye colors.
- (Analysis) Compare and contrast the rates at which the solvents moved up the paper. Explain the basis of your conclusion.
- (Assumptions) Fill in the following table using the observations and data from your
| Assumptions made | Testing the assumption | If assumptions are wrong ... |
| The distilled water is pure | Evaporate it and check for residue | The density would change depending on the density of the contaminant |
| Food color is water soluble | Try dissolving food color in nonpolar solvent | |
| Candy dye separates into component colors in water | Only one color will be observed | |
Discussion
Write a minimum one-page (12 font, single spaced) discussion on the experiment conducted this week. The assignment will be graded on completeness, clarity of the explanations and the meaningful integration of the collected and calculated data. Correct grammar and appropriate format for the chemical formulae and chemical reactions is expected. You may use the outline included at the end of this document on how to build your essay to address each category.
- (Analysis) Predict would happen if the filter paper were replaced with another medium (like paper towel, or silica gel, plastic sheets or sand). Justify your prediction.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Describe at least one or more application of paper chromatography.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Identify what factors determine how far the color moves.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Identify what factors determine how far the solvent moves.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Explain the reason to cover the chamber when doing paper chromatography.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Identify the stationary phase in your experiment.
- (Analysis) Identify at least two drawbacks of paper chromatography as a separation technique.
- (Analysis) Identify at least two advantages of paper chromatography as a separation technique.
- (Existing knowledge, research, and views) Explain how paper chromatography work.
- (Experimental design) Describe an experiment you would like to try using paper chromatography
Recommended Discussion Outline:
The concepts I used in this experiment were…
The most important aspect of this experiment was…
The purpose of the experiment was (Hint: it was not to determine the colors making up food dye) … By performing this experiment, I learned…