Practical
Chromatography
Chromatography is a technique that is used to separate different coloured substances.
In this investigation you’ll separating the different coloured substances in ink.
Apparatus
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Chromatography paper
Safety pin
Boiling tube
Test tube rack
Water
Coloured pens
Method
1 Draw a horizontal line approximately 1.5 cm from the bottom of the paper using a
pencil.
2 Place a spot of coloured ink in the centre of the pencil line.
3 Fill the boiling tube to a depth of approximately 1 cm; be careful not to get water
on the sides of the boiling tube.
4 Pin the top of the chromatography paper to a bung.
5 Lower the chromatography paper into the water, making sure that the spot of ink
does not go into the water.
6 Balance the bung to ensure the paper remains upright in the boiling tube.
7 Place the boiling tube in a test tube rack.
8 Observe what happens on the paper.
9 Take the chromatography paper out of the boiling tube and measure the distance
each of the colours moved.
10 Draw a suitable table to record your results
AQA KS3 Science © Hodder & Stoughton 2017
1
Practical
Questions
1 What was the most soluble colour in the ink? Explain your answer
2 Why is it important that the ink spot is not covered with water?
3 Why is it important to ensure that there is no water on the sides of the boiling
tube?
AQA KS3 Science © Hodder & Stoughton 2017
2