Question

1. a spot of ink is placed near the bottom of a piece of polar chromatography paper. the bottom of the paper is put in a nonpolar solvent. the ink separates into two substances, x and y, as the solvent travels up the paper. the results of the experiment are represented in the diagram.

which of the following claims is best supported using the data?
(a) the ink and the solvent react to form two new compounds, x and y.
(b) substance x must be less dense than substance y.
(c) substance x is more polar than substance y.
(d) substance y is more polar than substance x.

Explanation:

In chromatography, polar substances interact more with the polar chromatography paper. Since the solvent is non - polar, a more polar substance will move less up the paper (as it is more attracted to the polar paper). Substance Y is closer to the original ink spot (moved less) compared to substance X. So, substance Y is more polar than substance X.

• Option A: There is no indication that the ink and solvent react. Chromatography is a physical separation method.
• Option B: There is no data about density in the chromatography experiment.
• Option C: Substance X moved further up (closer to the non - polar solvent front), so it is less polar than Y.

Answer:

D. Substance Y is more polar than substance X.