The Theory of Gas Chromatography

Gas chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze the components of a mixture. It works by vaporizing a sample and then passing it through a long, coated tube called a column, using an inert gas like helium as the carrier. Different substances in the mixture travel through the column at different speeds due to their unique interactions with the coating, causing them to separate over time. As each component exits the column, detectors identify and quantify them. This method is useful for analyzing complex mixtures in fields like environmental testing, pharmaceuticals, and forensic science.