A mixture of inks is thought to contain three pure inks. The colours of these inks are red, green and blue. Describe using a diagram how a student could prove this
To prove that a mixture of inks contains three pure inks, the student can perform a process called chromatography. Chromatography is commonly used to separate and analyze mixtures.
Here's a step-by-step process diagram on how the student could proceed:
1. Gather the necessary materials: chromatography paper, the ink mixture, and a solvent (such as ethanol or water).
2. Cut a small strip of chromatography paper, making sure it's long enough to be dipped into a beaker or container.
3. Draw a line near the bottom of the paper using a pencil or a fine ink pen. This will be the starting line for the inks.
4. Using a dropper or a capillary tube, place a small spot of the ink mixture on the line drawn in step 3.
5. Pour a small amount of the chosen solvent into the beaker or container, ensuring that the level is below the starting line on the paper.
6. Carefully insert the bottom end of the chromatography paper into the beaker or container, making sure the ink spot does not touch the liquid.
7. Allow the chromatography process to proceed. This will involve the solvent moving up the paper, carrying the ink mixture along with it.
8. As the solvent continues to rise, the components of the ink mixture will separate and move at different rates.
9. After the solvent has risen near the top of the paper (but not completely), remove the paper from the container and let it dry.
10. Once the paper is dry, observe the separated components of the ink mixture on the paper. Each ink component will appear as a distinct spot or band at different heights.
11. Compare the colors of the separated ink components with the known colors of the pure inks (red, green, and blue).
12. If the components on the chromatography paper match the colors of the pure inks, it proves the presence of three pure inks in the mixture.
By following this process and analyzing the separation of colors, the student can visually demonstrate the presence of three pure inks in the mixture.
To prove that a mixture of inks contains three pure inks in the colors of red, green, and blue, a student can perform a simple experiment known as chromatography. Chromatography is a technique used to separate and identify components in a mixture based on their different affinities for a stationary phase (like paper) and a mobile phase (like a solvent).
Here's how a student can perform the experiment using a diagram:
1. Obtain a strip of chromatography paper, which is a special type of paper designed for separating mixtures.
Diagram:
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2. Using a pencil or a marker, draw a horizontal baseline near one end of the chromatography paper. This baseline will serve as the starting point for the ink mixture separation.
Diagram:
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| Baseline |
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3. Prepare the ink mixture by placing a small drop of the mixture onto the baseline. Ensure that the drops are not too close together.
Diagram:
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| Baseline |
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| o | (Ink drops)
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4. Place the bottom end of the chromatography paper in a solvent, such as alcohol or water. Just ensure that the solvent does not come in contact with the ink drops.
Diagram:
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| Baseline |
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| o | (Ink drops)
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| -|------------------- | (Solvent)
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5. As the solvent moves up the paper, it carries the ink mixture along with it. Different ink components will have different affinities for the stationary and mobile phase, causing them to separate.
Diagram:
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| Baseline |
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| o | (Separated ink components)
| ----------------------- |
| | Red | |
| --- | (Solvent)
| | Green | |
| --- | |
| | Blue | |
| --- | |
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6. Once the solvent has reached the top of the paper, remove the paper from the solvent and let it dry. The separated ink components will appear as distinct spots on the paper.
Diagram (after drying):
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| Baseline |
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| o | (Separated ink components)
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Red Green Blue
By performing this experiment, the student can observe separate spots representing red, green, and blue ink components. This demonstrates the presence of three pure inks in the initial mixture.