Title Separation of Cations by Paper Chromatography Aim 1. To determine the component (ions) present in different solutions. 2.

To separate cations of different solutions by paper chromatography method. Results and Observation Distance between origin and solvent front: 60mm Solutions of Known Ions Solution A B C Ion Colour Dark Steel Blue Rust Brown Apple Green Dark Steel Blue D Rust Brown Apple Green
Distance From Origin (mm)

60 49 43 60 49 43

1.00 0.82 0.72 1.00 0.82 0.72

Solutions of Unknown Ions Solution E F Unknown No. 1 2 No Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Calculation =

For solution A:

)= = 1.00

For solution B:

)= = 0.82

For solution C:

)= = 0.72

For solution D:

)= = 1.00

)= = 0.82

)= = 0.72

Discussion Pattern of the Experiment 1. The ions present in Solution A and Solution D have the strongest

penetration of the paper by the solvent system because they have the highest

value of

which is 1.00. The

ions present in Solution B and Solution D

have medium penetration of the paper by the solvent system because they have a value of which is 0.82. For the ions present in Solution C and

Solution D, they have the lowest penetration of the paper by the solvent system because they have the least value of which is 0.72.

2. For solution E, which was Unknown 1, the rust brown colour spot and apple green colour spot present above the mark E on the chromatogr aphy paper which indicates that only ions and ions present in the solution E.

3. For solution F, which was Unknown 2, the dark steel blue colour spot and rust brown colour spot present above the mark F on the chromatography paper which indicates that only ions and ions present in the solution F.

Safety Assessment 1. Acetone is flammable and its vapors will ignite even the liquid is at a considerable distance from an open flame, so be sure that there are no flame operation in the vicinity of the work area. 2. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is corrosive upon skin or eye contact. It causes burning of skin upon contact. Therefore, the experimenter should be used in the hood to avoid spilling of hydrochloric acid. 3. Acetone exhibited slightly toxicity. However, at very high vapor

concentrations, acetone may cause irritation. It may affect the central nervous system. It may cause blindness when contact with eyes. Therefore, we should always wear safety goggle when carrying out the experiment.

Question 1. If the experimenter used a ball pen instead of a pencil to mark the chromatography paper, the mixture of the ink of the ball pen may dissolve in the solvent which will cause chromatism.

2. The beaker should be covered while the solvent is moving up towards the paper in order to provide an optimum environment for the reaction between the solvent and the chromatography paper to occur. Otherwise the solvent will become contaminate. 3. Distance of solvent front from the origin = 27mm

Distance of the Spot from Origin = 19mm

= = = 0.70

Conclusion The ions present in Solution A and Solution D have the strongest

penetration of the paper by the solvent system because they have the highest value of which is 1.00. The ions present in Solution B and Solution D

have the medium penetration of the paper by the solvent system because the values of for the ions are 0.82. For the ions present in Solution C and

Solution D, they have the least penetration of the paper by the solvent system because they have the lowest value of which is 0.72.

For solution E, which was Unknown 1, the rust brown colour spot and apple green colour spot present above the mark E on the chromatography paper indicates that only ions and ions present in the solution E. For solution

F, which was Unknown 2, the dark steel blue colour spot and rust brown colour spot present above the mark F on the chromatography paper shows that only ions and ions present in the solution F.

Therefore, the determination of component (ions) present in different solutions and separation of cations of different solutions could be done by using paper chromatography method.