Re: How does paper chromatography apply to our lives?

This is a very good question. Paper chromatography is used to seperate inks or colors without changing them. This allows the scientist (chromatographer) to study the origins of the substance. You could use this technique to identify the ingredients used in an unknown color formula. Paper chromatography is the simplest technique in the "science of separation." An excellent link that explains this procedure is below: http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/csustan/mrsketch.htm I use chromatography on a daily basis in the laboratory to separate complex mixtures of materials on a Gas Chromatograph. Some uses of chromatography are: 1. Drug Testing of Blood and Urine 2. Environmental Analysis of Soil and Water 3. Food testing of many materials including Flavors. Keep asking terrfic questions like this and you could be a future scientist!! Mad Scientist Dave