Final answer:
A cationic exchange column does have a negatively charged stationary phase, which makes the statement true. This negative charge is used to attract and retain positively charged cations for separation purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false? A cationic exchange column has a negatively charged stationary phase (solid support). The statement is true. In cation exchange chromatography, the stationary phase indeed carries a negative charge, designed to attract and hold onto positively charged cations. This allows for the separation of cations from a mixture when they are displaced by other cations with a higher affinity for the stationary phase.
The principles of cation exchange are important in various applications including purification of proteins, water softening, and in the analytical separation of organic and inorganic compounds.