Year 10 - Science
Chromatography: paper
Separating substances
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores purification techniques, including filtration, crystallisation, and distillation. It explains formulations, uses chromatographic methods to identify pure and impure substances, and interprets chromatograms with Rf values. The emphasis is on accurate measurements.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how paper chromatography works and use chromatograms to classify substances as pure or a mixture.
Key Notes
- Chromatography has two phases, stationary and mobile, and separation depends on the distribution between these phases.
- Both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents can be used in chromatography.
- Chromatograms can be used to identify pure and impure substances.
Vocabulary To Learn
- chromatography: Chromatography is a technique that separates the components of a mixture, and the results can be analysed.
- mobile phase: The mobile phase is the movement of a solvent and any dissolved components of a sample along the stationary phase in chromatography.
- stationary phase: The stationary phase is a surface along which the solvent (and any dissolved components) travels. It does not move during chromatography.
- chromatogram: A chromatogram is the resultant pattern of a sample's components on the stationary phase after chromatography has been carried out.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils can struggle to interpret information that contains several samples on one chromatogram.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Chromatography has two phases, stationary and mobile, and separation depends on the distribution between these phases. Both aqueous and non-aqueous solvents can be used in chromatography.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'chromatography'
Chromatography is a technique that separates the components of a mixture, and the results can be analysed. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils can struggle to interpret information that contains several samples on one chromatogram. Correction: Stress a systematic approach to interpreting chromatograms (i.e. use rulers). Live modelling this using a visualiser helps enormously.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Chromatography: separating a mixture of inks Study Guide
- Comparing types of chromatography: including gas chromatography Study Guide
- Crystallisation Study Guide
- Distillation: fractional distillation Study Guide
- Distillation: separating a mixture of inks Study Guide
- Distillation: simple distillation Study Guide
- Filtration Study Guide
- Interpreting chromatograms Study Guide
- Potable water Study Guide
- Potable water: including sedimentation Study Guide
- Separating mixtures Study Guide
- Separating mixtures (including formulations) Study Guide
- Solutions Study Guide
- Wastewater treatment Study Guide
- Water sample analysis: dissolved solids Study Guide
- Water sample analysis: distillation Study Guide
- Water sample analysis: pH Study Guide
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