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Intro:
The process of chromatography is used by scientists to split up mixtures and other substances into their components. In this experiment, I did a form of chromatography with simple household items such as markers, paper towels, and more to attempt to recreate a process that chemists find very useful in the real world. During chromatography, the water travels up the paper strip with the ink dot on it using capillary action and separates the inkblot into its components.
Looking Back:
My experiment worked out very well. I was able to split up the color on each paper towel strip into its individual colors successfully. I used three secondary colors to be extracted, purple, green, and orange. This experiment used the chemistry concept of chromatography.
Looking Beyond:
I believe that when the edge of the colored paper towel touched the water, the water travels up the whole paper towel strip and the color turns lighter as is separates. Capillary action is what causes the water to travel up the paper where it meets the ink spot and dissolves it. The dissolved ink then travels up the paper and separates into different shades of color.
Looking Inward:
I think the reason why I was able to obtain desirable results was because I made sure to take the time to inform myself about the experiment. I made sure I was doing the right thing by searching up videos about chromatography experiments and researching more about the topic. I believe I performed well and took the right steps to making this experiment a success.
Looking Forward:
I wouldn't change anything that I did in this experiment. It was fairly successful. I don't see how I can continue this experiment but I wouldn't want to continue it because I would like to move on to a new experiments.
Take Away:
This experiment taught me about the science of Chromatography and how scientists use this method to analyze things in the real world such as biological materials, and even clues at crime scenes. Before this experiment I had no idea what chromatography was but now I know more about it and how to model the process as well.