What is the mobile phase in chromatography?

The mobile phase in chromatography is the liquid or gas that carries the sample through the stationary phase.

In more detail, chromatography is a technique used to separate the different components in a mixture. It involves two phases: the mobile phase and the stationary phase. The mobile phase is a liquid or a gas that moves over the stationary phase, carrying the sample with it. The stationary phase is a solid, or a liquid supported on a solid, that stays in one place.

The choice of mobile phase is crucial as it can greatly affect the results of the chromatography. The mobile phase needs to be able to dissolve the sample being analysed so that the different components can be separated. The choice of mobile phase will depend on the type of chromatography being used and the nature of the sample.

In liquid chromatography, the mobile phase is a liquid solvent or a mixture of solvents. In gas chromatography, the mobile phase is an inert gas such as helium or nitrogen. The mobile phase flows through the stationary phase, carrying the sample with it. As the mobile phase moves, the different components in the sample interact with the stationary phase to varying degrees, causing them to move at different speeds and thus be separated.

The mobile phase in chromatography plays a crucial role in the separation process. By choosing the right mobile phase, scientists can control the speed at which the different components move, allowing them to separate and identify the different components in a mixture.