Question

In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is a liquid.
(A) True
(B) False

Answer 1

To solve this question, we first need to know what is paper chromatography. An analytical technique that is used to separate colored substances or chemicals is known as paper chromatography.

Complete answer:
Let us understand the principle of paper chromatography.
In paper chromatography, a solution is made to pass through sheets of paper that are adsorbent in nature.
From this, we can see that the solution or the liquid is the mobile phase whereas the paper or the absorbent is the stationary phase.
When the mobile phase (solution) moves through the stationary phase (paper) the colored components of the solution mixture are separated based on their affinity to adsorb on the stationary phase.

So the statement which says that in paper chromatography, the stationary phase is a liquid, So, option (B) False, is the correct option..

Additional Information:
Paper chromatography can be used to check for purity of compounds, detect adulterants, check for contaminants, determine drugs in animals and humans, carry out filtration, etc.
There are different methods of paper chromatography.
- Ascending paper chromatography in which the mobile phase moves upwards.
- Descending paper chromatography in which the mobile phase moves downwards due to gravitational pull.
- Ascending-Descending paper chromatography in which the mobile phase moves in two different directions after a fixed point.
- Two-dimensional paper chromatography
- Radial paper chromatography

Note:
It should be noted that various types of papers can be used for paper chromatography which has different rates of flow of mobile phase through it, pore size, thickness, adsorption and filtration capabilities, etc.
For example, cellulose papers, papers impregnated with oils, papers loaded with absorbent powders or ion-exchange celluloses, glass fiber type papers, etc.