Question

With a polar adsorbent such as silica gel, the compound that elutes first is _____ ______ than the compound that elutes last.

A) Larger
B) Smaller
C) More Polar
D) Less Polar

Answer 1

In chromatography using a polar adsorbent like silica gel, less polar compounds elute first because they interact less strongly with the adsorbent compared to more polar compounds, which elute later.

Step-by-step explanation:

With a polar adsorbent such as silica gel, the compound that elutes first is less polar than the compound that elutes last. In chromatography, a less polar substance tends to have weaker interactions with the polar adsorbent and thus moves through the system more quickly than more polar compounds, which establish stronger interactions and elute later.

Answer 2

In chromatography with a polar adsorbent like silica gel, the less polar compound elutes before the more polar compound due to weaker interactions with the stationary phase.

Step-by-step explanation:

With a polar adsorbent such as silica gel, the compound that elutes first is less polar than the compound that elutes last. Silica gel is polar, so it retains polar compounds longer due to stronger interactions. Non-polar compounds, which don't interact as strongly with the stationary phase, travel down the column faster and elute first. This principle is used in chromatographic techniques like thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography to separate compounds based on polarity.