theory of chromatographic separation

Chromatographic separation is a method used to divide a mixture into its individual components. It works by passing the mixture through a system where each component interacts differently with a stationary phase (like a solid or liquid held in a column) and a mobile phase (a solvent or gas). Components that interact more strongly with the stationary phase move more slowly, while those with weaker interactions move faster. This difference in movement causes the components to separate over time, allowing them to be individually collected and identified. It’s a precise way to analyze complex mixtures.