paper chromatography

Paper chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate and identify components within a mixture. A small sample is applied to a piece of absorbent paper, and then the paper is placed in a solvent. As the solvent moves up the paper by capillary action, it carries different substances at different rates based on their properties, such as solubility and adhesion. This results in distinct spots or bands on the paper, each representing a different component. The pattern helps analyze the mixture’s composition, making it a useful tool in chemistry, forensics, and food analysis.