One such measurement is RF factor. The RF factor is how far a particular compound travels in a particular solvent. In this lab, it is how fare the dyes travel in saltwater. If the RF factors are similar to the RF factors of the control (food coloring) then they are most likely the same dye. On the website the four types of chromatography are also specified with possible uses. Liquid chromatography can be used to look for pollution in lakes (Science Olympiad). It is also used to test metal ions which react strongly with water. Gas chromatography can be used to test to see if there are bombs at an airport or to test blood at a crime scene (Science Olympiad). Thin-layer chromatography is used to test the purity of an organic compounds or the dye composition of fibers (Science Olympiad). Finally, paper chromatography, utilized in this lab, is the most common form of chromatography and can be used for all of these tasks. However, it is cheaper and less reliable than the other
One such measurement is RF factor. The RF factor is how far a particular compound travels in a particular solvent. In this lab, it is how fare the dyes travel in saltwater. If the RF factors are similar to the RF factors of the control (food coloring) then they are most likely the same dye. On the website the four types of chromatography are also specified with possible uses. Liquid chromatography can be used to look for pollution in lakes (Science Olympiad). It is also used to test metal ions which react strongly with water. Gas chromatography can be used to test to see if there are bombs at an airport or to test blood at a crime scene (Science Olympiad). Thin-layer chromatography is used to test the purity of an organic compounds or the dye composition of fibers (Science Olympiad). Finally, paper chromatography, utilized in this lab, is the most common form of chromatography and can be used for all of these tasks. However, it is cheaper and less reliable than the other