Chromatography

Today we did a second experiment about Chromatography. It was very similar to the first one we did with leaves and Ethanol, except this time we used water soluble felt tip pens and water as the solvent.

Method:
Just like the first experiment, we used filter paper (or chromatography paper), splints and test tubes. We used three or more different coloured felt tip pens and drew a small dot on each of the pieces of paper. Then after sticking them to the piece of splint, we put them in the test tubes and waited for results.

Equipment needed:

• Splint (or any other stick type material)
• Test tubes (or any other type of see through container)
• Different coloured felts
• Chromatography paper

Results:
Unlike the first experiment, this one went a lot faster and the pigment in the felts was a lot more concentrated and clearer to see. The three colours we used were green, blue and black. As the pigmentation in the black marker became visible, we could see not only black but a bit of purple and magenta too. When the green ones pigmentation became clearer, we could see blue and yellow, which makes sense as when blue any yellow paint is put together it makes green. The blue one how ever only showed other shades of blue