Chapter 20: Using Chromatography to Identify Properties of Matter

This kitchen chemistry investigation allows students to be the drivers of a simple chromatography method to observe the physical properties of matter that help us identify substances. Students will use coffee filters and water to separate the felt mark on a filter into separate pigments. Often manufacturers use several primary colors to make a felt marker color (e.g., blue and yellow ink to make a green felt marker). Students will use the properties of matter, color and solubility, to identify the combination of pigments used to make a felt marker.

Solubility of a felt marker will allow us to identify the combination of pigments used to produce the felt marker color. Solubility is the ability of a substance to be dissolved, most commonly in water. The chromatography method uses solubility to separate the pigments used in a felt marker mixture to separate the mixture’s components.