Chromatography is a technique that is used to separate mixtures. Each different mixture produces its own pattern called a chromatogram. This process is often used in crime labs to separate the components of substances found at the scene of a crime.
For additional background of how and why this technique read the Chromatography Links first to understand what you will be doing!
Materials:

• paper chromotography strips
• markers from suspects
• 250 ml beaker
• wood stick
• Chromotography fluid #1
• Chromotography fluid #2
• Chromotography fluid #3

Method:

A: preparing the Chromotography strip

1. Trim the bottom of the Chromotography strip so that it is square
2. Fold the strip so that it hangs just below the 50 ml mark on the beaker
3. Measure 1 cm from the bottom and draw a PENCIL line across the strip
4. Use a suspect marker and put a small dot on to the chromotography strip at the pencil line

B: Testing the marker dot

1. Place 50 ml of chromatography fluid #1
2. Fold the strip over the wood stick and hang it in the beaker so the strip just touches the liquid
3. Make sure the dot does ont touch or go under the liquid.
4. Time for 12 minutes after the strip touches the liquid
5. Observe how the dot separates into different colors on the strip.
6. Dry the strip and tape it in your journal on page 18
7. If the dot does not begin to seperate after a few minutes then prepare another strip and follow part C

C: Testing the marker if Chromotography fluid #1 does not work

• Place 50 ml of chromatography fluid #2
• Fold the strip over the wood stick and hang it in the beaker so the strip just touches the liquid
• Make sure the dot does ont touch or go under the liquid.
• Time for 12 minutes after the strip touches the liquid
• Observe how the dot separates into different colors on the strip.
• Dry the strip and tape it in your journal on page 18
• If the dot does not begin to seperate after a few minutes then prepare another strip and follow this procedure again using Chromotography fluid #3