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Bard High School Early College

Summer 2001

Chromatography

I.                    Background Information on Chromatography (Pre-lab assignment)

A.     Search the internet for answers to the following questions:

1.      What is chromatography?

2.      How does it work?

3.      Who uses it?  Give examples.

4.      Summarize at least three different types of chromatography.

5.      List the website(s) you used to compile your answers.

II.                 Radial Chromatography (1^st lab activity)

Cut a small hole in the middle of a sheet chromatography paper.  Use two different brands of water-soluble black markers, make alternating dots about 1 cm away form the hole on the paper.  Roll up a quarter of another sheet of chromatography paper and insert it into the hole to act as a wick.  Fill a cup or small beaker with water 1 cm from the rim.  Place the chromatogram and wick over the cup, with the wick submerged in water.  Allow the cup to sit undisturbed for about 15 minutes. 

III.               Thin Layer Chromatography (2^nd lab activity)

Use materials provided in a lab kit from Carolina or other vendors.  The purpose of this is for students to identify unknowns based on a standard.

IV.              Column Chromatography (3^rd lab activity)

Use of resin and dyes of different molecular weight for sizing.  The purpose of this is for students to be able to separate and collect components of unknown compounds using a size-exclusion column.

V.                 Assessment

Students are asked to identify a given unknown.  They will be expected to use different chromatography techniques to identify their unknown.  Students should be assessed on their lab and reasoning skills.

This lesson plan is aligned with Standard 1: Key Ideas 1, 2 and 3 of the Science Standard.