Lab Chromatography Quiz

Rf values can never be greater than

1

Rf meaning

retention factor (0-1)

D meaning

Distance traveled by the compound or solute (measured from the baseline origin to the center of the spot).

L meaning

Distance traveled by the solvent (measured from the baseline origin to the solvent front line

How to calculate Rf value

Rf= D/L

What are the sig fig rules for division

round final answer to match total number of sig figs in measurement with least number of sig figs

Stationary phase

Filter paper (or Chromatography Paper)

• A solid-supported liquid where water molecules are trapped inside filter paper. stays in place

Mobile phase

Elution solvent

• A moving liquid solvent that travels up the paper via capillary action

What term is used to describe the movement of the mobile phase through the stationary phase in chromatography?

Elution

What forms insoluble, colored precipitates with all the cations used, allowing the spots to become visible.

The staining reagent