Simple lab using markers, water, jelly jar, and coffee filter paper. (You can use rubbing alcohol instead of water, results are similar). Shows how you can physically separate a mixture, as well as demonstrate capillary action.
Tag Archives: chromatography
Chromatography
Just wanted to post this quickly. We completed a chromatography lab using coffee filter paper and washable markers. We were able to show how to physically separate a mixture. Each student received one piece of filter paper with a black marker spot on it. Since I only had one black marker, I prepared all the filter papers. It was easy and quick to do, I could prepare three at a time, the marker bleeds through from the top layer. I wanted to use the black as a control so that all the students could have a reference. Each student then chose two colors to place next to the black dot.
You can use water if you don’t have rubbing alcohol, it doesn’t really change the results much. Each student had a paper cup and poured in about 15 mL of water, it didn’t have to be exact. They slowly placed their filter paper into the cup, being careful not to let the paper fall into the cup. It contaminates the water and the student will have to start all over again with a new piece and clean water. I also showed them how to fold over the top of the paper over the lip of the cup to help it stay in place.
Students were to represent what their filter paper looked like in their lab sheet and make observations. Once they were done, we let the papers dry (have students write their names in pencil at the top of the filter paper) and then attached it into their notebooks. Analysis questions were written into the right page of their notebook.
Handout:
