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Chromatography of ink

Inks are made up from dyes and pigments dissolved in a liquid. Different chemicals are made up of particles of
different sizes. In Chromatography, we can use this to determine what chemicals are in a solution. The
different-size particles will travel through the special chromatography paper at different speeds and so they
separate out at different distances. If a dye does not dissolve in water, a different solvent can be used.

Aim:

To separate the inks.

Apparatus/Equipment

• 250 cm3 beaker • Ruler • Coloured pen

• Paper chromatography • Splint • Paper towel
• Pencil • Paper clip

Method

1. Cut out a rectangle strip of paper – so that it is about as tall as the 250 cm3 beaker.
2. Using a PENCIL, draw a line 3 cm from the top and 1 cm from the bottom.

3. Draw a dot of coloured ink using your felt tip pen in the centre of the bottom line:

4. Set up your chromatogram (the filter paper strip) in the beaker as in the diagram below:

Fold over and paperclip to secure.

Splint Filter paper

chromatogram.

Beaker
Fill with water so
that it just touches
the dot.

5. Wait for the water to reach the top line and then remove the filter paper from the splint and lay it on
some paper towel to dry.

1
Observation:
Write your observation.

[2]
Conclusion:

Write your conclusion:

Ex. Colour A has how many colour

Colour B has many colour

And compare colour A and B.

[3]
Question:
Answer all the questions next to the question.

1. What is chromatography? [1]

A separation method to separate a mixture of inks.

2. How many phases in paper chromatography? [1]

Two phases which are mobile (alcohol) and stationary (paper) phases.

3. What molecules move up the paper to carry the different colors of ink… [1]

Alcohol or water, the mobile phase.

4. Why must the base line drawn in pencil and not pen? [1]

Pen contains inks that can dissolve affecting the result.

5. Chromatography paper can separate the mixture of…inks, dye [1]

6. Draw your chromatogram. [5]

2
Here is example of chromatogram.

The dot presents how many colours are generated during experiment.

Draw or state your conclusion:

The green colour generates 3 colours

The purple colour generates 4 colours

Please state one comparison between green and purple.