Chromatography Lab Instructions

Lightly draw a line 1cm from the end of a piece of chromatography paper. Be sure to use PENCIL.

Choose the pen you want to test. Place a small dot on the 1cm pencil line. Remember to label the top of the paper with the pen identification letter.

Tape the paper to a pencil or Craft stick. Adjust it so the paper is just touching the bottom of the beaker.

Add Isopropyl Alcohol so it’s just touching the paper. Too little and it will get absorbed by the paper. Watch the liquid climb up the paper through capillary action.

As the Isopropyl Alcohol climbs up the paper, it will carry the ink with it. The various colors of ink used to create that pen’s unique color will begin to separate out.

Don’t remove the paper until the ink no longer travels upward. For some inks this may take the class period.