column chromatography

Column chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate mixtures of substances. It involves packing a vertical tube (the column) with a material that can interact with the components of the mixture. When a solution containing the mixture is poured into the column, different substances move through it at varying speeds based on their chemical properties. As they travel, they separate into distinct layers or bands. This method is widely used in chemistry and biochemistry to purify compounds, analyze substances, or isolate desired compounds from complex mixtures.