Unleash Nature's Palette!

Chromatography is a powerful analytical technique used to separate and identify components within a mixture. It relies on the differential interactions between the components and two phases: the stationary phase (often a solid or coated surface) and the mobile phase (usually a liquid or gas). As the mixture travels through the stationary phase, its components move at different rates, leading to separation. Chromatography finds applications in various fields, including environmental engineering, forensics, and pharmaceutical research. By understanding how chromatography works, scientists can unravel complex mixtures and gain valuable insights into their composition and behaviour. 

In our scientific escapade, participants will dive headfirst into the mesmerizing world of chromatography. Chromatography is a powerful technique used to separate components within a mixture. It operates based on the relative distribution of each solute between two phases: the mobile phase (which can be a liquid or gas) and the stationary phase (either a solid or liquid). As the mixture moves through the medium, solute molecules continuously exchange between these phases. If a particular solute favors the mobile phase, it spends more time migrating with the stream, while other species are retained longer by the stationary phase. The ratio of time spent in each region is called the partition coefficient. Chromatography encompasses various methods, including thin-layer chromatography for identifying coloured mixtures like pigments. It’s a bridge between chemistry (with concepts like solubility and separation) and biology (involving plant pigments and candy colours) 

In this activity, participants will utilize common household items like colour-producing plants and M&M candies to perform chromatography, observing the separation of colours. Different solvents such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, oil, and water will be used to explore varying rates of chromatography. This activity offers participants an opportunity to understand chromatography as a technique for separating mixtures, highlighting differences in solubility and mobility among components.