What will be the effect on a chromatogram of two well separated peaks if: (this is for a gas chromatography)

a) the carrier gas flow is set too high?
b) the temperature of the injection port is set too low?
c) the temperature of the column is set too high?

To understand the effects on a chromatogram, it is important to consider how the different parameters affect the separation process in gas chromatography. Here are the potential effects of the conditions you mentioned:

a) If the carrier gas flow is set too high:
The carrier gas flow rate influences the time it takes for analytes to travel through the column. When the flow rate is too high, it leads to a decrease in analyte retention time. As a result, the separated peaks on the chromatogram become narrower and taller, potentially leading to poor peak resolution. Additionally, if the flow rate is excessively high, the peaks might become distorted or even coelute (overlap).

b) If the temperature of the injection port is set too low:
The injection port temperature is crucial for vaporizing the sample and introducing it into the column. If the temperature is too low, the sample might not vaporize properly, resulting in poor peak shape, tailing, or fronting. The lack of vaporization can also lead to a decrease in analyte concentration on the column, which influences peak resolution.

c) If the temperature of the column is set too high:
The column temperature is a critical factor that affects the separation process. When the temperature is increased, it typically reduces the retention time, making the peaks appear narrower and taller on the chromatogram. However, setting the temperature too high might cause increased interaction between the stationary phase and the analytes, leading to peak tailing. It can also result in decreased selectivity and resolution between closely eluting peaks.

In gas chromatography, it's essential to optimize these parameters to achieve the desired separation and resolution of analytes. Adjustments should be made systematically while monitoring the chromatogram and making small incremental changes to find the optimal conditions.