Chromatography seperating mixtures;

A couple questions I'm not sure how to answer.
A) what evidence is there that a marker is a mixyure?

B)each compound in the marker ink is represented by a color did one compound travel farther than the others expplain why you think this is the case.

C) did the compounds travel farther in the water or the rubbing alcohol explain why you think that this is the case.

D) how could you improve upon accuracy of your R1 measurements.

the problem I'm having is I used red, blue, and purple. the marker in water moved faster and higher than that of alcohol so I don't no how to answer these questions. can someone pleae help me out.

It traveled faster in water? I am wondering if it was attached stronger to the water molecules than to the alcohol molecues.

Must have been but now I don't know how to answer th questions above. Any suggestions?

A) To determine if a marker is a mixture, you can look at the evidence of multiple colors or compounds present in the ink. In this case, since your marker has multiple colors (red, blue, and purple), it suggests that the marker ink is indeed a mixture rather than a single compound.

B) In chromatography, different compounds have different affinities for the stationary phase (the paper) and the mobile phase (the solvent). The compound that traveled farther than the others likely has a higher affinity for the mobile phase or a lower affinity for the stationary phase. This could be due to factors such as molecular size, shape, or polarity. Without further information, it is difficult to determine specifically why one compound in your marker traveled farther than the others.

C) The distance traveled by each compound in chromatography depends on their solubility in the different solvents used. In this case, you observed that the compounds traveled farther in water compared to rubbing alcohol. This suggests that the compounds in your marker have higher solubility in water than in rubbing alcohol. The solubility difference could be attributed to the various chemical properties of the compounds, such as their polarity.

D) To improve the accuracy of your Rf (retention factor) measurements, you can consider the following steps:

1. Ensure that the chromatography setup is consistent and precise. This includes using the same type and size of paper, same solvent composition, and maintaining the same distance from the solvent front.

2. Repeat the experiment multiple times to obtain an average Rf value, which can help reduce any experimental variations.

3. Increase the length of the chromatography run to allow for better separation and more accurate determination of Rf values.

4. Use a ruler or calipers to measure accurately the distances traveled by each compound and the solvent front.

5. Take clear and precise observations by marking the spots where each compound and solvent front reach.

By implementing these measures, you can improve the accuracy and reliability of your Rf measurements in chromatography experiments.