What technique separates components of a mixture based on their tendency to move across a surface?

What technique separates components of a mixture based on their tendency to move across a surface?

• A. Distillation
• B. Filtration
• C. Chromatography
• D. Centrifugation

Answer: (C)

Chromatography separates components by letting them move across a surface with a flowing solvent. Each component has a different affinity for the stationary phase on the surface (like paper or a TLC plate) versus the moving solvent. Components that prefer the solvent travel farther and faster, while those that cling to the surface stay behind, leading to distinct spots or bands that represent the different substances. This movement across the surface is what makes chromatography effective for separating mixtures. By adjusting the stationary phase or the solvent, you can control how far each component moves. In contrast, distillation relies on boiling points, filtration on particle size, and centrifugation on density under spin.

Chromatography separates components by letting them move across a surface with a flowing solvent. Each component has a different affinity for the stationary phase on the surface (like paper or a TLC plate) versus the moving solvent. Components that prefer the solvent travel farther and faster, while those that cling to the surface stay behind, leading to distinct spots or bands that represent the different substances. This movement across the surface is what makes chromatography effective for separating mixtures. By adjusting the stationary phase or the solvent, you can control how far each component moves. In contrast, distillation relies on boiling points, filtration on particle size, and centrifugation on density under spin.