| If you are looking for science fair project ideas, then | | | | - Why do people use chromatography? |
| check out one of my favorite projects: paper | | | | - How does the way a compound reacts determine its |
| chromatography. Paper chromatography is a | | | | exact chemical type? |
| surprisingly simple way to use chemicals on a piece of | | | | Materials You'll Need: |
| paper to help analyze the origin of other chemicals. | | | | Again, this is one of my favorite science fair project |
| This is one of the science project ideas that many | | | | ideas because everything you need is probably |
| students do if they are interested in criminal justice, as | | | | already in your house. Here's your list: |
| chromatography is a popular way for detectives to | | | | - Water |
| determine what chemicals have been where, which | | | | - 15 strips of paper (should be the same size). If you |
| may help them to solve some police cases. | | | | can find laboratory paper or chromatography paper, |
| This is also one of my favorite science fair project | | | | use it. You may also be able to use other types of |
| ideas because it costs less than $20 to do, is | | | | paper. |
| completely safe, can be performed using materials | | | | - Ruler |
| that you probably already have in your house, and only | | | | - Tape |
| takes a few hours (if even). Therefore, this is a rather | | | | - Pencils |
| easy project that is completely interesting too! Here's | | | | - 3 types of black ink markers. One should be |
| what you need to know in order to create your own | | | | permanent. |
| paper chromatography project: | | | | - A wide-mouth jar (this will hold the solvent) |
| Objective: | | | | Procedure: |
| The goal of this project is to analyze what ink | | | | Once you have your materials together, you're ready |
| chemicals are used in a permanent marker. | | | | to begin. Here is the 10 step procedure you should use: |
| Introduction: | | | | |
| In order to understand the background of this project, | | | | 1. Cut the paper into one-inch by four-inch strips. |
| you may want to read a more in-depth introduction | | | | 2. Draw a horizontal line across the paper 2 inches |
| into chromatography basics. Basically, what you need | | | | from the bottom. |
| to know in order to create the introduction is that | | | | 3. Pour enough water into your jar so that you can |
| chromatography is a chemistry experiment that uses | | | | hang the paper from the top of the jar and just the tip |
| the law of attraction to determine what chemicals are | | | | of the water touches the paper. |
| included in a particular item. Chromatography is used to | | | | 4. Using the first of three markets, make a small dot |
| determine the origin of bloodstains and drugs regularly | | | | on the line. |
| in police investigations (again - why this is one of my | | | | 5. Label the strip with a pencil to describe what the |
| favorite science fair project ideas). | | | | marker is. |
| Professionals use expensive equipment to analyze the | | | | 6. Tape your paper to a pencil and place the pencil |
| source of certain stains or liquids. However, for this | | | | across the jar so that the paper hangs into the jar, just |
| project, you'll only need a few simple materials. | | | | slightly touches the water. |
| Terms and Concepts: | | | | 7. Wait for the paper to absorb the water until the |
| You'll need to understand a few terms in order to | | | | water is almost at the top of the paper. |
| complete this project successfully. You'll also learn | | | | 8. Mark how far the water rose up the paper. |
| more about these terms and concepts as a result of | | | | 9. Measure how far the water and the ink traveled on |
| completing this experiment. Those terms and concepts | | | | the paper. Calculate the values. Keep in mind that |
| include: | | | | some of the markers might have ink that doesn't |
| - Adhesive and cohesive elements | | | | move. |
| - Capillary action | | | | 10. Repeat five times for all markers. |
| - Mobile and stationary phases | | | | This is one of the best science project ideas because |
| - Hydrophobic and hydrophilic chemicals | | | | it really helps to show how chromatography works. Be |
| - Values | | | | sure to do your own research into chromatography |
| - Chromatography | | | | before beginning the experiment in order to have an |
| - Solvents and solutions | | | | in-depth understanding of what you're seeing! |
| Questions You'll Uncover: | | | | If you're ready to get going with your science project, |
| Either before or during your experiment, you'll learn the | | | | your next step is to download a free copy of "Easy |
| answers to some important questions, including: | | | | Steps to Award-Winning Science Fair Projects" from |
| - Why don't all chemicals react in the same way when | | | | the link below right now. |
| they interact with paper? | | | | |