The TLC Chemistry Lab

This week, the IB Chemistry students performed an experiment looking at Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). TLC is a method used to separate chemicals based on their affinity to filter paper, the farther the chemical travels is indicative of the compound and will produce the same result each time the experiment is conducted. The students looked at the dye found on two different candies, and in three different black markers/gel pens, and compared the retardation factor (Rf) values produced. The filter paper is considered the stationary phase, while the isopropyl alcohol is considered the mobile phase (solvent) for this experiment.