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Question:

Help on Paper Chromatography?

I'm performing the paper chromatography test with the colors red, blue and blackMy friend and I are using the same filter paper, but she is getting correctly red and blue for purple, but I tried it and I'm not getting it! Same for black! Please help me, I need to give this by June 3rd, 2010Does anyone know why this is happening? Should I change the sketch-pen or the water or something?? Please reply soon.

Answer:

Yes if you do it rightand if keep it up and you have your area where no one steps on your toes.
Depends on what you consider good moneyIf your state collects cans for money, usually it is 5 cents per can, and thus 20 cans per dollarIf you can get 2000 cans, you could get 100 dollars, potentiallyBut, that is quite a lot of recyclable cans.
Your pen might not contain an ink that is separable into the colors red and blue with water, try your friends penPC is not exactly an accurate scienceHOWEVER! Bad results are still results! Find the cause of the error and your experiment is just as valid as your friends, perhaps even more valid! The water is basicly the same everywhere, so it is likely not the cause of your errorTry doing it with a non-polar solvent, like cyclohexane or whatever you got handy, gasolene might do the trickAlso covering the PC apparatus with clingfilm or aluminum foil to keep the vapour pressure constant is a good way to make results repeatableAlso, organic solvents are dangerous, use ventilation.

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