Which physical process is used to identify what substances are present in a mixture by separating components?

Which physical process is used to identify what substances are present in a mixture by separating components?

• A. Filtration
• B. Chromatography
• C. Distillation
• D. Evaporation

Answer: (B)

To find out what substances are in a mixture, you need to separate the components so you can see each one on its own. Chromatography does this by using a stationary phase and a mobile phase; different substances interact differently with these phases, so they move at different speeds and end up as separate spots or bands. Once separated, you can identify the components by comparing their positions or times with known standards. Other methods can separate things too, but they’re not as useful for identifying all the different substances present in a mixture.

To find out what substances are in a mixture, you need to separate the components so you can see each one on its own. Chromatography does this by using a stationary phase and a mobile phase; different substances interact differently with these phases, so they move at different speeds and end up as separate spots or bands. Once separated, you can identify the components by comparing their positions or times with known standards. Other methods can separate things too, but they’re not as useful for identifying all the different substances present in a mixture.