Definition of “Stationary Phase”
A solid, or a solid coated in a viscous liquid, used in chromatography. The components of a mixture undergo adsoroption to this phase as they’re carried along the mobile phase
Definition of “Mobile Phase”
The phase that moves over the stationary Phase in a chromatographic separation
Definition of “Retention Time”
The time taken for a component to pass through a chromatography column
Definition of “Retention Factor”
The ratio of the distance a component has moved from the origin to the distance the solvent has moved from the origin
Definition of “Analyte/Solute”
A substance that dissolves in a solvent (e.g. sugar is the solute when it dissolves in water)
Definition of “Eluent/Solvent”
A substance, usually a liquid, that is able to dissolve a solute to form a solution - water is a very good solvent
What Chromatography technique would be used for monitoring water pollution?
HPLC (High performance-liquid chromatography)
What Chromatography technique would be used for monitoring air pollution?
GC (Gas chromatography)
What Chromatography technique would be used for drug testing or urine & blood samples?
HPLC (High performance-liquid chromatography)
What Chromatography technique would be used for testing for food additives and quality?
HPLC (High performance-liquid chromatography) & GC (Gas chromatography)
Identify at least 1 advantage of TLC (Thin-layer chromatography)
- Easy to perform
- Low cost (cheap)
- Basic laboratory equipment required
Identify at least 1 advantage of GC (Gas chromatography)
- Very sensitive
- More advanced (higher resolution, results are accurate and reproducible)
- Low sample consumption
- Readily automated
Identify at least 1 advantage of HPLC (High performance-liquid chromatography)
- Very sensitive
- More advanced (higher resolution, results are accurate and reproducible)
- Low sample consumption
- Readily automated
Identify at least 1 disadvantage of TLC (Thin layer chromatography)
- Qualitative analysis
- Samples cannot be re-used
- Poor precision and Accuracy
- Time consuming
Identify at least 1 disadvantage of GC (Gas chromatography)
- Expensive
- Need experience with the chromatography technique (harder for novices to understand and use)
- Substance needs to be volatile
Identify at least 1 disadvantage of HPLC (High performance-liquid chromatography)
- Expensive
- Need experience with the chromatography technique (harder for novices to understand and use)
Define “Adsorption”
The adhesion of molecules or substances to the surfaces of a solid or a liquid
