Question

Olivia is given a list of five chemicals. She is told that her mixture is made up of a combination of some of the chemicals on the list. Explain how Olivia could use pure samples of the chemicals on the list to identify the components of the mixture using paper chromatography.

A) Olivia could dissolve the mixture in a solvent, create a sample spot on paper, and let capillary action separate the components.
B) Olivia should mix the chemicals together and observe any color changes.
C) Olivia needs to heat the mixture to identify its components.
D) Olivia should analyze the chemicals under a microscope to identify the components.

Answer 1

Paper chromatography can be used by Olivia to identify the components of her mixture. She can dissolve the mixture in a solvent, create a sample spot on paper, and let capillary action separate the components. Olivia can then analyze the bands or spots on the paper to determine the components of the mixture.

Step-by-step explanation:

Olivia could use paper chromatography to identify the components of her mixture. Paper chromatography is a technique that separates mixtures based on their different abilities to stay adsorbed in a solid phase and solubilize in a liquid phase.

Here's how Olivia could use pure samples of the chemicals to identify the components of the mixture:

1. Dissolve the mixture in a solvent to create a solution.
2. Create a sample spot on a piece of porous paper using the solution.
3. Allow capillary action to separate the components as the solvent moves up the paper.
4. Observe distinct bands or spots on the paper which represents the separated components.
5. Compare the position and characteristics of the bands or spots with pure samples of the chemicals to determine the components of the mixture.