Question

Chromatography is based on the principle of:
A.) Conductivity
B.) Distribution coefficient
C.) Counter-balance of charges
D.) Centrifugal force

Answer 1

Hint: You should know that, this method of separation is based on the fact that though two substances are dissolved in the same solvent their solubilities can be different. The component which is more soluble in rises faster and gets separated from the mixture. Now you can easily answer this question.

Complete step by step answer:

Let’s try to figure out what chromatography is and then it would be easier for us to discuss its principle.

Chromatography is essentially a physical technique. It consists of two phases, the stationary phase and the mobile phase.
The stationary phase can be either a solid(such as alumina, silica gel) or tightly bound liquid on solid support(such as paper in which the liquid water is held by the solid cellulose).
The mobile phase, on the other hand, can be a liquid, gas, or supercritical fluid such as $CO_{ 2 }$. Depending upon the physical state of the stationary phase and the moving phase and also on the process of passage of the moving phase, chromatography.
The different components of the mixture will move at different rates due to their differing properties (solubility, molecular weight, attraction to the stationary phase etc.) and will become separated over time as the mobile phase moves greater distances through the paper.
This ratio of solubility of a substance between two immiscible phases, usually two liquid phases is called the distribution coefficient (D). It is also called the partition coefficient (P).
Hence, we can say chromatography is based on the principle of the distribution coefficient of a compound in the stationary and mobile phases.

Therefore, we can conclude that the correct answer to this question is option B.

Note: You should also know that chromatography is a method used by scientists for separating organic and inorganic compounds so that they can be analyzed and studied. By analyzing a compound, a scientist can figure out what makes up that compound. Chromatography is a great physical method for observing mixtures and solvents.