Chromatography Lab

                                                                                        Questions:

Why is it important that only the wick and not the filter paper circle be in contact with the water in the cup?

It is important that only the wick and not the filter paper circle be in contact with the water in the cup because if the whole circle was submerged in water, the ink would not spread outward from the middle like it does when only the wick is submerged. 

What are some of the variables that will affect the pattern of colors produced on the filter paper?

The marks that we drew on the circle will affect the pattern of colors produced on the filter paper along with which markers we chose to use, and how much ink we put on the paper. The solubility will also affect the pattern of the colors produced on the filter paper because some colors are more soluble so they will spread farther out towards the edges of paper while other colors are less soluble so they will only spread a few centimeters away from the center.

Why does each ink separate into different pigment bands.

Each ink separates into different pigment bands because each of the inks have different properties allowing them to either move faster on the paper, which means they end up farther away from the middle of the paper, or slower, which means they end up closer to the middle. 

Choose one color that is present in more than one type of ink. Is the pigment that gives this color always the same? Do any of the pens appear to contain common pigments?

One color that is present in more than one type of ink is blue. The pigment that makes this color is always the same because it is used to make the black ink in marker and pens. Many of the markers appear to contain common pigments because many of the colors are consistently shown throughout the chromatographs. 

Why are only water-soluble markers or pens used in this activity? How cold the experiment be modified to separate the pigments in "permanent" markers or pens?

Only water-soluble markers and pens were used in this activity so the ink could be carried by the water towards the outer edges of the filter paper. This experiment could be modified to separate the pigments in "permanent" markers and pens by changing the solvent we use.