: Rainbow Paper Chromatography

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Ages: 6-12

Objective: Engage children in a hands-on science experiment to explore the concept of chromatography and color separation using simple household materials.

Materials Needed:

  1. White coffee filters or chromatography paper
  2. Washable markers (different colors)
  3. Water
  4. Small cups or containers
  5. Pipettes or eye droppers
  6. Pencil or tape
  7. Optional: White paper or cardboard for mounting the chromatograms

Procedure:

  1. Cut the coffee filters or chromatography paper into strips approximately 2-3 inches wide and 6-8 inches long.

  2. Using washable markers, draw a small dot or line near the bottom of each strip of paper. Use different colors for each dot or line.

  3. Fill small cups or containers with water, enough to partially submerge the bottom of the paper strips.

  4. Place a paper strip into each cup so that the colored dots or lines are above the water level. Make sure the paper does not touch the bottom of the cup.

  5. Allow the paper strips to sit undisturbed in the cups for 15-20 minutes. As the water travels up the paper through capillary action, it will carry the ink with it, separating the colors into individual components.

  6. Observe as the colors separate and move up the paper strip. You should see different colors spread out into bands or streaks.

  7. Once the water has traveled near the top of the paper strip, carefully remove the strip from the cup and lay it flat to dry.

  8. Optional: Once the chromatograms are dry, mount them onto white paper or cardboard for display.

Explanation:

  • Chromatography is a technique used to separate and analyze mixtures of substances based on their different properties, such as solubility and affinity for the chromatography medium (paper).
  • In this experiment, the water acts as the mobile phase, carrying the colored components of the marker ink as it moves up the paper strip through capillary action.
  • Different colors of ink will travel at different rates and distances, resulting in the separation of the colors into distinct bands or streaks on the paper strip.

Extensions:

  1. Experiment with different brands or types of washable markers to see if there are differences in the separation of colors.
  2. Discuss with children the concept of solubility and how it relates to the movement of the ink on the chromatography paper.
  3. Encourage kids to hypothesize what might happen if they change the composition of the mobile phase (water), such as adding salt or vinegar.
  4. Explore real-world applications of chromatography, such as in forensics, chemistry, and biology.
  5. Challenge children to create their own chromatography experiments using other colored substances, such as food coloring or plant pigments.

Safety Note:

  • Supervise children closely during the experiment, especially when handling markers and water. Remind them not to ingest any of the substances used.

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