UNIVERSITY OF SAINT LOUIS

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

First Semester, S.Y. 2019 – 2020

HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 1

NARRATIVE REPORT

Subject : General Chemistry I Date: September 17,2019

Paper Chromatography

On the 17th day of September in the year 2019, we had our first laboratory experiment
at the University of Saint Louis Senior High School Chemistry laboratory. The experimentation
that we have done was all about Paper Chromatography- a way used for examining and
separating the mixtures of particular chemical substances. Its purpose was mainly to show the
flow of the solvent which we made used of an ethyl alcohol in making a reaction with the colored
pigments drawn in a specific starting point in a medium called a filter paper.

In all chromatographic separations, there is always a need of following the proper

procedures in separating mixtures of chemical substances. In this experiment, we made used of
a filter paper which was the best medium for absorbing the pigments of the mixtures reversibly
and selectively. Firstly, we measured the filter paper to the exact measurement of the beaker’s
height and width and then we have drawn a line exactly one centimeter from the bottom of the
paper that serves as the starting point where we draw the four (4) various colored inks in the
form of dots. Secondly, we poured now the solvent which is the ethyl alcohol in the beaker; just
enough to cover the bottom then we already placed and settled the exact measurement of the
filter paper in the beaker which later on we covered the beaker’s opening with another filter
paper. Thirdly, we then proceeded in observation of the reactions of the pigments concentrated
to the ethyl alcohol for over 15 minutes. Moreover, as the experiment goes on, we observed that
the pigments started to determine their own properties in which the colors that make up the
pigments started to separate and be seen by the naked eye as a result of the reaction that took
place. The green pigment which is a secondary color appeared to show the blue and yellow
colors that when combined together will result to green pigment. We were also surprised when
the black pigment which is a neutral color showed a pink, yellow, and purple colors as it began
to separate. Lastly, as all of the above procedures have been done, we then were able to
answer the different questions given based on the hypothesis that we observed in doing this
paper chromatography experiment.

To sum up the experiment that we have done, it is indeed proven that paper
chromatography was the best tool for separating and comparing chemical mixtures of
substances. For example, it showed that black ink could be separated into various colors
through conducting paper chromatography. The colors of the inks separated the way they did
because of the differences in their molecular characteristics, specifically their solubility in the
ethyl alcohol that acts as the solvent. We also observed that the least soluble ink color was the
blue pigment. It allows us to identify the hidden properties of the pigments that are not visible to
our naked eye. All in all, we had a great time doing this fun experiment as it leaves us another
important lesson that we will be staying with us for a lifetime.
 Documentation

Filter paper was measured precisely to Four pigments were drawn in the
fit inside the beaker. starting point of the filter paper.

Ethyl alcohol was placed in the beaker Answering the activity questions and
followed by the filter paper. observing the changes in the filter paper
exposed to ethyl alcohol.
 Chromatogram Paper

After a several minutes of exposure to ethyl alcohol, this is the result. A single colored pigment
coming from two or more colored chemicals.
Prepared by:

Felicity Regala Aindrea Vidad

Leader Member 1

Ryna Bolando Jerico Lappay

Member 2 Member 3

Jenna Macababbad Andrea Rescopin

Member 4 Member 5

Caitlin Viernes
Member 6

Checked by:

MR. BRYAN F. ARUGAY, LPT

Subject Teacher