Final answer:
Column chromatography often uses Silica gel as the stationary phase to separate mixture components based on their differing affinities, with stronger adherence resulting in slower travel through the column.
Step-by-step explanation:
In column chromatography, the stationary phase is often composed of materials that interact with the various components in a mixture to facilitate separation based on differing affinities. Silica gel is commonly used as a stationary phase because of its high surface area and its ability to adsorb molecules. The separation process relies on the principle that components with a stronger affinity for the stationary phase will travel more slowly through the column compared to those with weaker adhesion.
During the procedure, a sample is introduced at the top of the column and as it moves down, the components begin to separate due to their varying interactions with the stationary phase. The progressive separation can be observed and collected as individual components elute from the column, with each having a distinct retention time. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a more advanced form of chromatography that utilizes similar principles but with more controlled and efficient conditions, allowing for the separation of even closely related compounds like phosphatidylcholines.