Paper chromatography is a simple method used to separate and identify the components in a mixture.
a. State the meaning of the term “retardation factor value Rf ” for a component spot on a chromatogram.
b. The following data were collected:
Compound
Distance travelled / mm
A
32
B
75
Solvent
96
Calculate the Rf value of compound A.
c. Outline how the Rf value of a spot can be used to identify a compound.
d. Explain why the Rf value for the same component can be very different if different solvents are used for the mobile phase.
e. State one other type of chromatography that can be used to separate the components of a mixture.