Lesson Plan

Lesson: Chromatography

Aim :

To study the technique of separating mixtures using chromatography.

Learning Outcomes :

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to :

1. describe briefly and qualitatively paper, column, thin layer and gas/liquid
chromatography in terms of adsorption and/or partition.

2. describe the use of chromatography as an analytical tool. describe the extensive use
of these methods and gas chromatography in industry and medicine.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with :

1. the partition law

2. the difference between absorption and adsorption.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Time taken to complete the activities : 80 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 3

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to quiz students to ensure that
(Ascertaining prior they have the necessary background
knowledge and knowledge.
introducing lesson
topic for the day). • Teacher to point out lesson objectives for
the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 5 • Courseware

with the students.

• Activity 1 : Principles of
chromatography

Students are shown how particles of a

solute which are distributed between the
stationary phase and the mobile phase
are separated during chromatography.

• Activity 2 : Paper chromatography

Students are shown how the colour

pigments in dye are separated by paper
chromatography.

• Activity 3 : Thin-layer chromatography

Students are shown how thin-layer

chromatography differs from paper
chromatography.

• Activity 4 : Column chromatography

Students are shown how the pigments

from grass extract is separated by column
chromatography.

• Activity 5 : Gas-liquid
chromatography

Students are shown how a mixture of

organic compounds is separated by gas-
liquid chromatography.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Websites

activities on their own. • Reference
books.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 3

Worksheet answers

1. Principles of chromatography

1.1 a. 3

b. Rf = distance covered by the component

distance covered by the solvent

2
Rf of first component =
= 0.222
9
4
Rf of second component = = 0.444
9
7
Rf of third component = = 0.778
9

1.2 a. The ions in the solution have different degrees of solubility in the solvent.
They travel up the chromatography paper at different rates and are thus
separated.

b. X = Mn
Y = Zn
Z = Co

1.3 a. This is because some of the components have almost identical

Rf values in the first solvent used. A better separation is obtained by using
two different solvents and the components can thus be identified more
accurately.

28
b. Rf value in solvent A = = 0.70
40

10
Rf value in solvent B = = 0.17
60

c. X = Arginine

5. Gas-liquid chromatography

5.5 cm
5.1 a. Retention time = = 11 seconds
0.5 cm s -1

b. The compound is propanone.

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