Permanent Marker Chromatography
What is
Chromatography?
Chromatography basically means “to
write with colors.” It is the process of separating a mixture by passing
it through a medium in which the different components of the mixture move at
different rates. Russian botanist M.S. Tsewtt discovered paper
chromatography in 1903. He was able to separate the pigments in
plants. Paper chromatography is now used to determine the purity and makeup of many compounds. In paper chromatography, the mixture is dissolved in
a liquid, and the medium it will travel through is the filter paper. How
well the pigments separate is dependent on how well they travel up the paper
and how soluble they are in the solvent.
Permanent Marker Chromatography
You are probably
thinking you can’t separate permanent markers.
They are permanent. With the
right medium, you can separate the pigments in permanent markers. It is fun to see what colors the manufacturers
use to make many different colors.
Students will enjoy this fun chemistry experiment.
Safety Precautions
The following
activity uses nail polish remover, which contains acetone. It has a high odor. It should be used in a well-ventilated area. This can be done in the classroom as a
demonstration in front of the class.
It could also be done on a nice day outside. Students could set them up on picnic
tables. Just make sure it is not
windy. Good lab practices should be
followed. Follow your school district's
rules and keep material safety data sheets on file.
Blue had some other pigments, but it was mostly the primary color of blue.
Since yellow is also a primary color, it did not separate into other pigments.
Black always has lots of color separation. Black is a combination of all the primary colors. Look closely; you will see different shades of reds, blues, and yellows.
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