Stationary Phase and Mobile Phase Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

In chromatography, what is the stationary phase?

The stationary phase is the part that does not move, which the substances can stick to.

In chromatography, what is the mobile phase?

The mobile phase is the liquid or gas that moves and carries the substances along.

What is the stationary phase in paper chromatography?

In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is the chromatography paper.

What is the mobile phase in paper chromatography?

In paper chromatography, the mobile phase is the solvent, such as water or ethanol, that moves up the paper.

Why do different dyes move different distances in chromatography?

Different dyes move different distances because they have different attractions to the stationary phase and different solubilities in the mobile phase.

What happens if a substance is strongly attracted to the stationary phase?

If a substance is strongly attracted to the stationary phase, it moves slowly and does not travel very far up the paper.

What happens if a substance is more soluble in the mobile phase?

If a substance is more soluble in the mobile phase, it is carried further and travels higher up the paper.

How do the stationary phase and mobile phase work together to separate a mixture?

They separate a mixture because each substance spends different amounts of time in the stationary and mobile phases, so they end up in different positions.

In chromatography, what does the word ‘phase’ mean?

‘Phase’ means the physical form or part, like the solid paper (stationary) or the moving liquid solvent (mobile).

How does the Rf value link to the stationary and mobile phases?

The Rf value depends on how far a substance moves with the mobile phase compared to the solvent front, which is controlled by its attraction to the stationary phase and its solubility in the mobile phase.