chromatography experiment with permanent markers

Chromatography With Markers

Introduction: Chromatography With Markers

Chromatography is used to separate mixtures of substances into their components based on small differences in solubility of different molecules. To begin the process, you must dissolve a substance (called the mobile phase) into a second substance (called the stationary phase). The mobile phase flows through the stationary phase and carries the components of the mixture with it, which usually travel at different rates. Molecules that are the most soluble will move the furthest and the least soluble will travel the shortest and are measured in retention time.

In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is the paper and the mobile phase is the water. If using the same color but with different brands, it is easy to see that the same color is not always made of the same mixture. A black from Brand X may contain more red compared to Brand Y which may have more green or blue.

Determining the components of a mixture are important because it allows scientists to know what is in a mixture and how to recreate it (such as in medicine if a new mixture is found in nature) or how to alter it (such as if a mixture is toxic to people, chromatography can help determine what is making it toxic).

Chromatography – process for separating components of a mixture

Mobile Phase – the substance that moves and is dissolved into the stationary phase

Stationary Phase – the substance in which the mobile phase is carried through; the substance that stays still through the process

Soluble – able to be dissolved. (Think of sugar in water)

Solute - substance being dissolved. (The sugar being dissolved in water)

Solvent - substance that is dissolving another substance. (The water that sugar is being dissolved in)

Retention Time – the amount of time it takes for a substance to travel a certain distance

Capillary Action – the ability for a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity. (Think of it like a soda straw that would draw up the soda because it was attracted to the sides of the straw)

- Paper Towels OR Coffee Filters

- Water Based Markers

- Recommended the same color of 2 different brands

Step 1: Cut the Coffee Filters or Paper Towels Into Long Strips.

The best size for the strips is approximately 4 cm X 25 cm. This paper will act as the medium that the dissolved molecules of ink will have to travel through.

Step 2: Draw a Starting Line for Your Color Pigments.

Draw a line with a pencil about 1 ½ inches (4 cm) from the bottom across the filter/paper towel strip. To understand which molecules are more soluble we need to have a starting point so we can measure which molecules travel the farthest.

Step 3: Choose 2-3 Markers and Draw Small Concentrated Dots of Ink Onto the Pencil Line.

Make sure to space them out by at least 1 cm. Let dry for at least 30 seconds. It’s highly recommended to use the same color but with different brands.

Step 4: Fill the Bottom of the Cup With Water

Fill the bottom of the cup with enough water to submerge the bottom of the filter/paper towel by ½ inch (13 mm). The water will act as our solvent (dissolving agent) for our solute (material being dissolved).

Step 5: Place the Filter/paper Towel Into the Water.

Be sure NOT to submerge the ink into the water. Secure the filter/paper towel to the side with a tape

Step 6: Observe the Movement of the Water and Color Pigments

Watch the water go up the paper and pull the different components of the color upwards. For example, black ink is made up of many other colors combined to make it black. By performing the chromatography we are separating out each color that goes into making it look black. The upward movement of color pigments is due to the pigments traveling with the water. Capillary action pulls the water up due to attractive forces within each molecule of the paper. Plants transport water from the ground to their highest leaves with this same process of capillary action. Notice how some colors travel farther up the paper than others. By traveling farther this means that a certain color pigment was more soluble in the water and was carried farther.

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Marker Chromatography Experiment

Pull out the bin of markers and search for the black ones to get started with this fun paper chromatography lab ! All you need are a couple of washable markers (more is better), water, a paper towel, and a dish/bowl. Use what you have around the house or classroom to enjoy simple science experiments any day of the week! Are markers really black? Let’s find out!

INK CHROMATOGRAPHY

What is chromatography? Chromatography is a way of separating the parts of a mixture so that you can see each one by itself. And paper chromatography has to be the best method to separate ink!

When you dip the paper in water with the black marker drawn, the dried pigments from the marker ink dissolve. As the water travels further up the paper, it carries the pigments via capillary action .

The marker ink separates because different pigment colors are carried along at different rates; some travel farther and faster than others.

How fast each pigment travels depends on the pigment molecule and how strongly the pigment attracts the paper. Since the water carries the different pigments at different rates, the black ink separates to reveal the mixed colors to create it.

The solvent in this chromatography lab is water because we use washable markers that dissolve in water. You need to use an alternative solvent to separate the colors in permanent markers.

You might want also to try Leaf Chromatography which separates the pigments in leaves!

What colors will you observe when you complete the chromatography experiment below?

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PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY LAB

Click here for more easy STEM Activities and Science Experiments with paper !

• Black markers
• Paper towel
• Bowl of water

HOW TO SET UP A CHROMATOGRAPHY EXPERIMENT

STEP 1. Gather four different brands of black washable markers.

Also, use your washable markers for our coffee filter flower STEAM project !

STEP 2. Cut four strips of paper towel.

STEP 3. Fill a bowl with water.

STEP 4. Using one of the black markers, color a small square at one end of the paper towel. Repeat with the remaining markers and paper towel strips.

STEP 5. Dip the end nearest the black square into the water and hang the end over the edge of the bowl.

STEP 6. Repeat for each strip and let them sit until they are completely wet. Observe what colors you can see in the strips.

CHROMATOGRAPHY SCIENCE FAIR PROJECTS

Want to turn this paper chromatography into a cool science project? Then check out these helpful resources below.

• Easy Science Fair Projects
• Science Project Tips From A Teacher
• Science Fair Board Ideas
• All About Variables

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD FOR KIDS

The scientific method is a process or method of research. A problem is identified, information about the problem is gathered, a hypothesis or question is formulated from the information, and the hypothesis is put to test with an experiment to prove or disprove its validity. Sounds heavy…

What in the world does that mean?!? The scientific method should simply be used as a guide to help lead the process. It’s not set in stone.

You don’t need to try and solve the world’s biggest science questions! The scientific method is all about studying and learning things right around you.

As children develop practices that involve creating, gathering data evaluating, analyzing, and communicating, they can apply these critical thinking skills to any situation. Click here to learn more about the scientific method.

MORE FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

Check out our list of science experiments for Jr Scientists!

• Use a chemical reaction to inflate a balloon.
• Make foaming elephant toothpaste.
• Explore static electricity with cornstarch and a balloon.
• Create fireworks in a jar.
• Can you make rice float?

MORE SCIENCE RESOURCES

Here are a few resources that will help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident yourself when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

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• 8 Science Books for Kids
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The Best Chromatography Experiments for Kids

April 21, 2020 By Eva 15 Comments

Inside: We explored five different ways to do chromatography experiments in our kitchen. They are a colorful combination of science and art, and are easy to do at home using ordinary items:  food coloring, candy sprinkles, essential oils, and markers. 

Disclaimer: Last week our marker chromatography experiment didn’t go as usual. Instead of separating as they are supposed to, the colors simply spread uniformly down the paper.

“ Your experiments always fail, ” announced my oldest son with a grin. Thanks, kid!

I’m blaming the new, fancier (read: more expensive) brand of markers we used. Still, it looked pretty and, judging from my other kids’ excitement, was not altogether disappointing.

I’m mentioning this fail just in case your experiments – line mine – don’t always go the way they are described. If your kids complain, just shrug and tell them that learning how to handle failure is part of the scientific life.

The Discovery of Chromatography

Chromatography, or “color writing” from the Greek chroma “color” and graph “to write,” is the science of separating mixtures.  We also refer to it simply as Tsvet’s science , after the Russian scientist who discovered the technique and coined the term “chromatography.”

Mikhail Tsvet (by the way,  “tsvet” is actually a Russian word for “ color ” – Coincidence?) discovered that since different color pigments have different weights, they are carried along at different speeds, and end up in different places. So one can use different substances (gas or liquid) to carry the color, and by examining where different tints end, figure out what pigments were combined to make it.

Chromatography is now widely used in biochemistry to figure out the ingredients that make up a particular scent or flavor, to detect traces of drugs in urine, and to find traces of pollutants in drinking water.

Too bad that Tsvet’s work was largely unknown (due to it being in the Russian language) until years after his death. Today his gravestone carries the inscription: “ separating molecules, uniting people .”

Are you looking for Chromatography printables?

I added a whole bunch of chromatography-themed printables to our FREE library of resources. Enter your email HERE and I will send you the link and the password.

What is Chromatography?

To make it easier for kids to grasp the concept of chromatography, I started by asking my kids to imagine themselves in a forest. Everywhere they look, trees are stretching toward the sky like towers. The twigs crunch under their feet. Small animals scurry around in the underbrush.

And now, as if by magic, a toy box drops down from the air in front of you. In the box, there are light toys (balls, dolls, and books) and heavy toys (ride on trucks, giant Barbie house, and a LEGO table). Suddenly, though, a flood sweeps through the forest.

You are ok! You climbed a nearby tree. But the contents of the box are scattered all over the forest floor.

Would all toys travel the same way? Would it be as easy for water to sweep the LEGO table through the forest it is a beach ball?

Probably not!

Would scientists be able to make educated guesses about the weight of different toys by examining how far they traveled? Yes, they could!

Chromatography is a science that studies the components of a mixture (toys in a toy box) and tries to figure out things about them by studying how far they traveled.

Print Out Your Science Notebook Page COLOR or BLACK/WHITE

Chromatography Experiment with Markers

Supplies needed.

Markers in a variety of colors

Glasses with water

Paper towels

• Cut paper towels into long strips about an inch wide.
• Draw a heavy line with a marker near the top of one stripe (black is often a fascinating color that separates into bright blue, green, and yellow).
• Hang the paper strip over the edge of the glass of water so that the paper towel touches the water, but the line is above the water.
• Watch the color spread as the water travels up the paper.

The incredible thing is when seemingly “boring” colors (like black) separate into many unexpected colors!

How to Recycle the paper strips

If you are looking for a creative way to use up the strips used in this experiment, you can put them in a blender equipped with a S-blade, add a little water and turn it into a mush. If you then press the resulting mash into a cookie cutter and let it dry overnight, you end up with a beautiful 3D art. Read about our red heart for inspiration here .

Chromatography Experiment with Candy  Sprinkles

Supplies needed.

paper towels (or coffee filters)

sprinkles of different colors

• Place sprinkles in the middle of paper towel

We knew that in commercial food production, yellow and blue are usually made up of just one die each, so no surprise there. We didn’t expect much color separation.

However, what surprised us is the color red. We were amazed to see so much yellow in it.

My kids couldn’t resist adding a sensory element to the experiment and rubbing the mixture with their fingers.

Variations:

• The paper towels are almost works of art in themselves. You might even have your kids arrange sprinkles artistically on the paper and then simply pour over water to see what beautiful patterns emerge. This is especially nice for very young kids, because no matter their grasp of fine motor skills, the end result will be beautiful.
• Try the same experiment with jelly beans or M&Ms.

Chromatography Experiment with Food Coloring 

What you need.

Paper Towel

Food coloring in various colors

Sticks, popsicle sticks, or pencils

Sticky tape

• Cut the paper towel in several strips just a bit taller than your cup.
• Add food coloring to an inch of water in a cup.
• Tape the strip to the stick, so that the bottom touches the liquid in the cup.
• Suspend the strips on top of the cups. Make sure that the paper touches the food coloring.
• Does the color separate into different colors as it creeps up?

It was interesting to see so much green coming out of black color (see the top of the paper).  We thought it looked kind of like those pictures of nebulae in space.

It’s even more fun to mix many different colors of food coloring in one glass and see how they separate as they move up the paper towel strip.  Just don’t add too much black food coloring because the strip gets too dark to detect any color separation.

Chromatography Experiment with Essential Oils

If you were ever interested in essential oils, the number one question that probably popped into your head was How can I trust that this essential oil is pure and not heavily diluted ?

There are many different ways to check the quality of the essential oils in a laboratory setting, but what about at home?  Don’t worry: there is one in-home testing method that is considered “fairly accurate.”

White (printing) paper

Essential Oil

• Cut white paper into strips. One for each essential oil you are testing.
• Dispense a drop of essential oil on each paper strip.
• Allow to dry for 24 hours (It might take 48 hours for thick oils like Sandalwood to dry).

A pure essential oil should dry without leaving a stain.

Essential oils that have been diluted with synthetic fragrance oil will leave an oily residue on a piece of paper.

From ten oils we tested, only 2 failed the test.  As you can see on a pic above, all the Kis oils passed the test, but my favorite rose oil didn’t pass the test, and neither did Sweet Orange from Aura Cacia (but Sweet Orange from Kis was fine).

The fun part of this experiment is that while we were testing all my different oils, our house smelled like an Essential Oils Shop.  Science can be so calming.

Chromatography Experiment with Permanent Markers

In experiment #1 above, we used water to separate colors from markers, but this time we are tackling permanent markers. Permanent markers are water-insoluble (that’s what makes them permanent), so we know that water is not going to get the job done. We looked around the house and gathered up rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and vinegar to see if they will help us separate colors in permanent markers.

paper towel strips

permanent markers (the colors black and green were most interesting)

rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and vinegar

• Cut paper towel in strips.
• Draw a heavy line across the strip with a marker (or a couple of thin lines).
• Fill cups with a bit of the chemical you are testing out: vinegar, nail polish remover, or alcohol.
• Hang the paper strip over the edge of the glass so that the paper towel touches the liquid, but the line is above the liquid.
• What’s happening?

In our case, nail polish remover produced the most colorful results. We were pleasantly surprised to see so much blue in a black marker. Also, note the intense yellow color in a green marker strip.

And that’s five ways to do Chromatography Experiments with kids at home.  If you are not doing them now, PIN this page for later.

If you like these experiments, you might also enjoy  Maple Leaf Science and this post about how we tried to use Chlorophyll as a coloring agent .

More Chromatography Fun!!

If you want to print this high-quality, super-fun FREE Chromatography PDF, enter your email here and I will send you the link.

Reader Interactions

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February 11, 2021 at 3:03 am

Great projects!!

February 21, 2016 at 11:31 am

good post. I’ve pinned it for future use in co-op classes.

February 5, 2016 at 8:49 am

I love chromatography experiments, I’m an art student so we do them all the time! My favorite it working with dyes, they’re the inspiration for a lot of my projects!

February 2, 2016 at 6:03 pm

These look fun and creative. I would have enjoyed an art project like this as a child.

February 2, 2016 at 5:17 pm

This looks like so much fun. My boys would have a ball with these projects!

February 2, 2016 at 5:15 pm

This is an awesome experiement! We’ve got markers galore around the house. So, I’ll definitely be trying this with my son this week. He’ll love it!

February 2, 2016 at 7:36 am

Chromatography is something new for me. Never heard about it before, but actually it’s a kind of art. You are very creative, and I ‘m sure children love doing chromatography. Thank for sharing this.

February 2, 2016 at 3:38 am

This looks like an activity my kids would love. Especially my color loving daughter.

February 1, 2016 at 11:14 pm

This is totally the type of things that I love doing with my kids! We made volcanoes yesterday! SO fun!

February 1, 2016 at 8:16 pm

How fun is this! Thank you for sharing. The essential oil trick is very helpful, who knew!

February 1, 2016 at 8:01 pm

I think this is so creative! I am sure kids enjoyed it so much! Looking forward to new creative ideas

February 1, 2016 at 7:53 pm

[…] Halloween cupcakes or cookies this year? If you have candy sprinkles left over, use them for an exciting sprinkles chromatography experiment. Chromatography is the science of separating mixtures into their components. And you can easily […]

[…] e. Chromatography & Coffee Filters […]

[…] mixtures. Derived from the Greek chroma “color” and graph “to write.”, Kid Minds […]

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Paper Chromatography Science Projects With a Hypothesis

Chemicals in Dry-Erase Markers

Paper chromatography analyzes mixtures by separating the chemical contents onto paper. For instance, chromatography is used in forensic science to separate chemical substances such as drugs in urine and blood samples. Students can perform paper chromatography projects using ink to understand how scientists are able to determine the presence of different chemicals.

Separate Ink Colors

Form an experiment to separate ink colors using paper chromatography. Hypothesize that regular black ink will show colors on the paper chromatography more noticeably than permanent ink. Set up the experiment using coffee filters and washable and permanent markers. Cut the coffee filters into long strips for each pen. Form a loop by stapling the ends of the strips together. Place a dot of ink on the bottoms of the coffee filter strips. Label each strip using a pencil, specifying the type of pen. Place the strips into a glass, then add water until it touches the bottom of the paper. Observe the strip. Compare your results between permanent marker and washable marker ink. The washable marker colors should spread out onto the paper, while the permanent marker does not because of its permanent ink.

Water vs. Rubbing Alcohol

Create an experiment to separate permanent marker ink colors using paper chromatography in water and rubbing alcohol. Hypothesize that rubbing alcohol will separate the ink colors in permanent markers, while water will not. Set up the experiment using coffee filters and permanent markers. Cut the coffee filters into long strips for each pen. Form a loop by stapling the ends of each strip together. Place a dot of ink on the bottom of the coffee filter strips. Place one strip into a glass of water and place another strip into a glass of rubbing alcohol until the fluid touches the bottom of the paper. Observe the strips. Compare your results between the water and rubbing alcohol solution. The colors should separate on the strip dipped in the rubbing alcohol, but won’t separate when using water.

Different Solvents

Conduct a paper chromatography project to find out if different types of solvents separate ink differently. Set up the experiment using coffee filters and permanent markers. Cut the coffee filters into long strips. Form a loop by stapling the ends of each strip together. Place a dot of ink on the bottom of the coffee filter strips. Place a strip each into a glass of water, rubbing alcohol, vinegar and nail polish remover. Make sure to only add liquid to touch the bottom of the strip. Observe the strips and compare results. Indicate which solvent separated the ink colors the best.

Use a Black Light

Perform an ink paper chromatography test and use a black light to determine if there are any more components visible on the paper than in regular light. Hypothesize that more components will be seen under black light, because some chemicals are invisible under white light. Make sure to look at the paper the same day the paper chromatography test was conducted in order to assure there is no fading on the paper.

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• Science Buddies; Paper Chromatography: Basic Version; Amber Hess; April 2008

About the Author

Based in Huntington Beach, Calif., Dana Schafer has been writing environmental articles and grant proposals since 2006. Schafer has written for Grace Unlimited Corporation and Youth Have Vision. Schafer is in the process of receiving a Master of Science in biology from California State University, Long Beach.

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Science Projects > Chemistry Projects > Colorful Chromatography + Video  

Colorful Chromatography + Video

Color chromatography.

Chromatography is one of the simplest techniques for separating the individual components of a mixture. In chemistry, a mixture is a combination of substances that can be separated because they are not chemically bonded. As opposed to a compound, which has elements chemically bonded together. In paper chromatography, a mixture is dissolved and pulled across a piece of paper.

The mixture separates because its components travel across the paper at different rates, based on their attraction to the paper or solubility in the solvent. The word ‘chromatography’ comes from the two Greek words for ‘color’ and ‘writing.’ Once you try out the fun projects below, you’ll see why that’s such a fitting name!

>> Watch our chromatography video to see this cool process in action!

Color Hide-and-Seek

Is black really black? Let’s start with some simple paper chromatography to find out.

What You Need:

• Black washable marker
• Filter paper or coffee filter
• Beaker or cup

What You Do:

1. Cut a piece of filter paper or coffee filter into rectangular strips (approximately 1/2″ x 3-4″).

2. Draw a pencil line across the narrow end of a strip, about 1 cm from the bottom.

3. Draw a small dot with the black marker on the pencil line.

4. Use a binder clip or tape to attach the paper strip to a pencil. Set the pencil across the top of a beaker or cup. Adjust the paper strip until it hangs down without touching the sides or bottom of the beaker.

5. Carefully pour water into the beaker until it just touches the bottom of the paper strip. (Make sure the water level is below the marker spot, or else the ink will just run off into the water.) Water will begin to travel up the paper.

6. When the water nears the top of the paper, remove the strip from the beaker and let it dry on a paper plate or hanging in an empty cup. The series of colors you see is called a chromatogram.

What Happened:

As the water travels up the paper strip (similar to capillary action in plants), it dissolves the ink and pulls it up the paper too.

The black ink is actually a mixture of several different pigments, or coloring agents. Some pigments dissolve in water easier and are pulled with the water farther up the paper.

Others are more attracted to the paper and move more slowly.

Usually smaller molecules will move farther than larger ones. What colors do you see on your chromatogram? Was the black marker really black?

The three primary colors used when mixing dyes or paints are red, yellow, and blue.

Other colors are often a mixture of these three colors. Try running a chromatography test again with non-primary-color markers, like purple, brown, and orange.

See what hidden colors are really there! You can also try using other solvents, such as rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover, especially for permanent pens and markers that won’t dissolve in water.

Fall Colors in Summer Leaves

Trees that were green all year suddenly become bright yellow, orange, red, or even purple! How does this happen?

Leaves contain different pigments, which give them their color.

Green chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis, is the most common type of pigment, but there are also cartenoids (yellow, orange, brown) and anthocyanins (red).

During the summer months, the leaves are so full of chlorophyll that green overpowers any other colors present in the leaves, such as yellow and orange.

In the fall the days start to get shorter and the temperature drops, signaling to the tree that it is time to go into storage mode for the winter. The chlorophyll starts to break down, causing the green in the leaves to disappear, and allowing us to see the colors of the other pigments, which were present all along.

You can use chromatography to find out what pigments are present in a leaf when it is still green.

• Green leaves (trees with dramatic fall color changes, like maples, work best)
• Glass beaker or cup
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Gather several green leaves from a tree. You can choose to compare two different trees, if you want.

2. Cut the leaves into very small pieces and put them in a small glass or beaker.

3. Pour rubbing alcohol into the glass just enough to cover the leaves. You want the pigment solution to be as concentrated as possible, so don’t add more alcohol than necessary. Cover the glass with plastic wrap and set it in a larger glass or bowl with about an inch of hot water. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, swirling occasionally and replacing the hot water as necessary. You can use a spoon to help crush the leaves and release more pigment.

4. When the color of the liquid is nice and dark, remove the leaf tissue with a fork or spoon (or strain it through a coffee filter).

5. Tape a strip of filter paper to a pencil and suspend it in the beaker so that the strip just touches the colored liquid. Cover the beaker with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation.

6. When the alcohol nears the top (this can take 30-90 minutes), remove the strip and let it dry.

What colors do you see in your finished chromatogram? The ‘hidden’? pigments (caretonoids and anthocyanins) will travel farther up the paper than the chlorophyll. Based on your chromatogram, what color do you think the leaves will be in the fall after the chlorophyll has broken down?

Read our article to learn more about how leaves change colors in the fall.

More Fun Chemistry Projects

• Ink and Paper Activities
• Color-Change Tricks
• Invisible Ink

Science Links

Explore the nature of color with this beautiful and informative web exhibit: Causes of Color .

Check out this site to see how all colored printing is really made from just four colors.

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B-Inspired Mama

Kids Crafts · Play & Learning Activities · Fun Food · Creative Parenting Tips

Super Easy Marker Chromatography Experiment for Kids

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 2 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information .

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Disclosure:  This blog post, contributed by Crystal of The Science Kiddo , contains affiliate links. As an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my  full disclosure policy  for more information.

Many of our favorite kids activities are those that combine the magic of science with the flare and creativity of art. And marker chromatography is an easy science experiment that lets kids create beautiful artwork they can displayed as­-is or use to make other colorful craft.

Explore Art & Science with Marker Chromatography for Kids!

This marker chromatography experiment is so quick and easy. Plus, it requires minimal materials and therefore minimal cleanup, yet it keeps the kids engaged and learning! Let’s check it out…

Marker Chromatography Science Experiment Supplies

The best thing about this kids science experiment is that you probably have everything you need right around the house. Here is all you need:

• white coffee filters
• washable markers (like Crayola markers ; not Sharpie or permanent markers)
• wooden craft stick (or a sturdy ruler )
• binder clip (or strong chip bag clip , utility clip , or even a clothespin )
• mason jar  with an 1-2 inches of water inside (or a tall clear plastic cup )
• paper towel

Now, if you can get your hands on some sheets or strips of chromatography paper (also known as filter paper ), you can obviously use that. But everyday coffee filters work, too.

Marker Chromatography Experiment Instructions

First, have your child use colored marker to draw a design on a coffee filter (or chromatography paper). Using dark, bright colors will yield the best results. The design can be circular or asymmetrical, whatever you feel inspired to do!

Fold the coffee filter in half and then in half again and again until it is a skinny triangle, narrow enough to fit inside your jar. Then use the binder clip to clip the top (straight edge) of the skinny triangle coffee filter onto the center of the craft stick.

Place the pointed end of the coffee filter triangle into the jar of water and let the craft stick rest across the top of the jar to hold it in place. Make sure the tip of the coffee filter triangle is touching the water and add a small amount of water, if necessary.

Have your child observe how the paper draws water up from the bottom of the jar. They will start to see the colors separate and spread!

When the water line reaches the top of the paper, pull it out, unfold it, and lay it on a paper towel to dry.

How to Make Chromatography Art Flowers & Butterflies

After the colorful coffee filter is completely dry, you can display your chromatography art as is or use it to make a cute craft, like colorful chromatography flowers or butterflies.

You only need one crafts supply to turn your chromatography coffee filters into flowers and butterflies: pipe cleaners !

To Make a Chromatography Butterfly:

Fold your coffee filter accordion style, then twist a pipe cleaner around the middle before unfolding the wings. Trim and bend the ends of the pipe cleaner into cute little butterfly antennae.

To Make a Chromatography Flower:

Place 2-3 coffee filters on top of one another, then fold them in half and then in half again. Pinch the pointed end and wrap it tightly with the end of a pipe cleaner. Then separate and unfold the coffee filters a bit to form the flower.

The Science Behind Marker Chromatography

According to Britannica Kids , paper chromatography is a “technique for separating the components, or solutes, of a mixture on the basis of the relative amounts of each solute distributed between a moving fluid stream, called the mobile phase, and a contiguous stationary phase. “ In other words, it is a way to separate parts of a mixture based on their rate of movement.

So, for our marker chromatography experiment, our marker ink is a mixture of pigments. Even though it looks like just one color, it actually has many different color pigments, some heavier and some lighter, that travel at different speeds as the water (our solvent) moves them up through the paper. The heavier pigments will separate out first and move more slowly, while the lighter pigments keep moving faster up the paper, creating the tie-­dyed or washed out effect. Try to count how many different colors you see on your final product!

Paper chromatography is used every day by industrial and forensic scientists in professional laboratories. This marker chromatography experiment is an easy and safe way to play scientist and artist with your child!

Marker Chromatography Extensions on Learning

• Compare Rates of Absorption — Use different types of filter paper to experiment with different rates of absorption or flow.
• Compare Different Solvents — Set up separate chromatography experiments, one with water like above and the other using isopropyl alcohol instead of water. Try each one with water-based markers . Then try each one with permanent markers instead.
• Explore Color Theory — Use only markers in primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) to see how the colors mix to make secondary colors (orange, green, purple).

Full Marker Chromatography Experiment

Marker Chromatography Experiment for Kids

• 16 ounce mason jar (or tall clear plastic cup, with 1-2 inches of water inside)
• binder clip (or strong bag clip, utility clip, or clothespin)
• wooden craft stick (or sturdy ruler)
• washable markers
• white coffee filter
• paper towels
• Have child use washable markers to draw a design on white coffee filter . (Dark, bright colors work best, but any design works.)
• Fold coffee filter in half and then in half again and again until it is a skinny triangle, narrow enough to fit inside the jar. Use binder clip to clip the top (straight edge) of the coffee filter triangle onto the center of the craft stick.
• Place pointed end of coffee filter triangle into the jar of water and let the craft stick rest across the top of the jar to hold it in place. Make sure the tip of coffee filter triangle is touching the water. Add water, if necessary.
• Have child observe how the colors separate and spread as the water travels up through the coffee filter triangle.
• When the water line reaches the top of the coffee filter triangle, pull it out, unfold it, and lay it flat on paper towels to dry. After completely dry, display marker chromatography art as is or use to make crafts.

The Science Behind Marker Chromatography:

Marker chromatography extensions on learning:, marker chromatography supplies on amazon:.

Get everything you need to do your own marker chromatography experiment or make your own chromatography art right on Amazon…

Kids Chromatography Kits & Science Sets on Amazon:

Or, if you’re not up for gathering all of the supplies yourself, grab one of these paper chromatography science kits. Or another kids science experiment sets.

Plus, find more kids science experiment sets in  B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop:  Fun Finds for STEM Learning

Like this Kids Marker Chromatography Activity? Save It & Share It!

Don’t forget to save this cool chromatography art project to come back to later. And share it with friends! Simply use the buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Or, click here:  Share on Facebook  |  Tweet It  |  Pin It  |  Email to a Friend

More Kids Science Experiments from The Science Kiddo:

• Rainbow Paper Color Science Experiment for Kids
• Lava Lamp Density Experiment for Kids

More Science Ideas from B-Inspired Mama:

• 5 Fun Color Mixing Experiments for Preschool Kids
• Snowstorm in a Jar Science Experiment
• 28 Fun Valentine’s Day Science Experiments

Crystal is a homeschooling mom of two blondies. After giving up an academic career in chemistry to stay home with her kids she decided to launch The Science Kiddo to focus on doing science experiments with her children. She writes about science and math activities for kids, early childhood science education, homeschool, and carefree living in the city with kids.

About krissy of b-inspired mama.

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Reader Interactions

April 8, 2018 at 11:10 PM

How long do you leave it in the water in order for the color to spread all the way around the edge?

Krissy of B-Inspired Mama says

April 9, 2018 at 2:11 PM

It varies with the specific coffee filter you use and the type of markers. But it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

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Black-Marker Chromatography

A simple and visually impressive experiment reveals what a black marker’s color is really made of

In this experiment, we’ll separate the black color of a marker into its color constituents and see that it is comprised of a mix of several colors.

·   Unvarnished, simple newspaper (preferable), or a coffee filter, or kitchen roll, or (final option) a part of cereal carton. Don’t use notebooks or printer paper – it just won’t work.

·   A transparent glass

·   Scissors

·   A black water-based marker (a non-erasable marker that is acetone-based won’t work!)

·   A pencil

·   Transparent adhesive tape

The experiment

Watch the video to see how we conduct this experiment.

It all started with plants

Chromatography is a very efficient way to separate a mixture of materials. The name “chromatography” comes from two Greek words: chromo (color) and graphein (to write / to note), and it literally means “to write colors”. The name was given by the person who developed chromatography – the Russian-Italian scientist Mikhail Tsvet.

Tsvet was not a chemist, but a botanist – a plant researcher – who was interested in the colors (pigments) found in plants. Because the color in plants is usually composed of a mix of several materials, and because when you mix several colors together you get a new color (which is sometimes misleading), Tsvet wanted to find a way to separate the different color materials. The method he invented in 1901 was to fill a long glass column with chalk ground into a fine powder. He poured a green solution, which he concocted by crushing together plant leaves, onto the top of the cylinder, so that it trickled down to the bottom through the chalk powder.

As the solution passed through the column, it separated into three parts – green, orange and yellow. These represented the three families of materials found in plants: Chlorophyll, carotene, and xanthan. Each material came out through the bottom of the cylinder at a different time.

Because the method focused on colors, Tsvet called the process chromatography. Unfortunately, Tsvet published his research in a marginal scientific journal in Poland, and it took another  decade until he was recognized as the method’s invencreator. He died in 1919, and did not live to see his method developed and improved. In 1952, the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to Archer Martin and Richard Laurence, for improvements to chromatography – which today is one of the most, if not the most-used method to separate materials.

Separation through adsorption

So how does chromatography actually work? Earlier chemists conducted experiments somewhat resembling Tsvet’s, thinking that chromatography separates materials in the same way filtering does, or perhaps because due to the capillary action of liquids (capillarity is the flow of liquids through thin tubes, due to surface tension and adhesive force). But chromatography’s mechanism of action is different: It is based on adsorption, a type of “adhesion” of a substance onto another substance, due to electrical forces that exist between the small particles comprising the substance.

Activated charcoal is an example of a substance that is very good at absorption; in another experiment we showed how it absorbs colors and purifies water.

In chromatography, the adsorption is weak. The substances flow through some material, such as the paper in our experiment, or the ground chalk in Tsvet’s original study, adhere to the material’s surface very briefly.

Because the mixture of substances undergoing chromatography also have gravitational forces with the solvent (for example, the water), the substances are drawn back into the solution through the material on which they are flowing. The result of this weak attraction is the slowdown or delay in the flow of the substances through the material. Each substance has different interactions at different intensities with the solvent and with the material on which it flows, and therefore each is “delayed” to a different degree. When applying chromatography to a mixture, the substances that make up the mixture separate, each one delayed by a different period of time and flowing at a different rate. You can imagine it as if a group of people start to run together on a track, with a crowd standing around the track. The crowds hold their favorite runner for a brief moment, so that each runner is delayed for a different period of time. This leads to the runners’ group dispersal, each reaching the finish line at different times.

The chromatography method used today is very sophisticated, implementing special materials as separation column coatings for optimal separation of materials, detectors identifying when the various materials exit the column (even if they do not have a "color"). There are very long columns (up to dozens of meters!), chromatography-separating gases, and solvent and pump mixtures that enable quicker, time-saving flow. Nowadays, almost any mixture of materials can be separated by chromatography. Separation is also important for the identification and quantification of substances – an area of interest in the analytical chemistry industry – and also for the production of materials.

There is another scientific point to consider in our experiment: in Tsvet’s experiment, the solution flowed downwards due to gravity. In our current experiment, the flow went upwards, because of the paper’s capillarity. The water is absorbed and rises, due to the “interplay” of forces between the water and paper, the spaces inside the paper, and the forces between the water molecules themselves. You can also watch an experiment on capillarity, and an article about it for further information.

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Chromatography: how black is a black pen?

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Inside many black pens is a rainbow of colour trying to get out. Black ink is often made from a blend of other colours

In this activity, learners can try out paper chromatography to separate this mixture of inks.

Skill development

Children will develop their working scientifically skills by:

• Using appropriate scientific language and ideas to explain, evaluate and communicate their methods and findings.
• Drawing conclusions and raising further questions that could be investigated, based on their data and observations.
• Asking their own questions about scientific phenomena.

Learning objectives

• Use knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated.
• Compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of their properties, including their solubility.

Concepts supported

Children will learn:

• That certain colours and dyes are made up from a mixture of colours, and these can be separated by using techniques such as chromatography.
• Filter paper (eg a coffee filter)
• Plastic or paper bowl
• Black felt tip pen
• Cup of cold tap water
• Draw a few spots on the filter paper
• Rest the filter paper on the bowl to catch any drips
• Dip your finger in the water to get a drop on the end and let it fall onto the spots
• Watch what happens to the ink – is the black ink really black?

What’s the chemistry?

Being able to separate mixtures is really useful. There are lots of different types of chromatography – from simple methods like this, to sophisticated machines like liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) which can separate a mixture and measure the mass of the components all at the same time.

Suggested activity use

This activity could be used with a whole class, with learners working in small groups, investigating how to separate colours. They could start by investigating a black pen and could then move to look at different coloured pens and sweets, observing the results closely.

Practical considerations

You may need to experiment with a range of black pens beforehand, as some pens work better than others.

Filter paper will be required as certain papers are not absorbent enough to separate the colours out effectively.

How black is black pen? chromatography: Handout

How black is black pen chromatography: instructions, additional information.

This activity was demonstrated by the RSC at the Big Bang Fair 2014, and is a featured resource in our autumn 2015 ‘Get colourful with chemistry’ theme.

• 11-14 years
• Practical experiments
• Practical skills and safety
• Observing and measuring
• Chromatography

Specification

• Chromatography can be used to separate mixtures and can give information to help identify substances.
• 2.7e paper chromatography
• 2.10 Interpret a paper chromatogram: to distinguish between pure and impure substances; to identify substances by comparison with known substances; to identify substances by calculation and use of Rf values
• Safe use of a range of equipment to purify and/or separate chemical mixtures including evaporation, filtration, crystallisation, chromatography and distillation
• C5.1.4 recall that chromatography involves a stationary and a mobile phase and that separation depends on the distribution between the phases
• C3 Use of chromatography to identify the mixtures of dyes in an unknown ink
• C2.1g describe the techniques of paper and thin layer chromatography
• PAG 3 Use of chromatography to identify the mixtures of dyes in an unknown ink
• Chromatography is a technique used to separate the components present within a mixture. Chromatography separates substances by making use of differences in their polarity or molecular size.
• The details of any specific chromatographic method or experiment are not required. Depending on the type of chromatography used, the identity of a component can be indicated either by the distance it has travelled, or by the time it has taken to travel…
• 1.9.5 investigate practically how mixtures can be separated using filtration, crystallisation, paper chromatography, simple distillation or fractional distillation (including using fractional distillation in the laboratory to separate miscible liquids…
• 2. Develop and use models to describe the nature of matter; demonstrate how they provide a simple way to to account for the conservation of mass, changes of state, physical change, chemical change, mixtures, and their separation.
• 4. Classify substances as elements, compounds, mixtures, metals, non-metals, solids, liquids, gases and solutions.
• Chromatography as a separation technique in which a mobile phase carrying a mixture is caused to move in contact with a selectively absorbent stationary phase.

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Coffee Filter Chromatography

Learn about chromatography with this simple science experiment! You only need a coffee filter or paper towel, water and a washable black marker. Kids will love to see the ink travel in this science experiment.

RELATED: Grow a Rainbow Experiment

Coffee Filter Chromatography Experiment For Kids

Kids will love seeing the black marker separate into different colors in this simple science experiment! You can use either paper towels or coffee filters, or try both to see what happens!

Supplies Needed

Here’s what you need for this activity:

• Paper Towel or Coffee Filter
• Washable Black Marker (we used Crayola)
• 2 Small Glasses or Plastic Cups

Watch The Full Video Tutorial Here

What is the Science

Chromatography

This science experiment is a great example of chromatography. Chromatography is the process of separating out a mixture of chemicals. In this experiment, you will see the black ink separate into different colors. If you ever get a paper with ink wet you would have seen the ink move across the page in streaks. In this experiment, you should see blue, red/burgundy and a bit of green come out of the black ink.

Capillary Action

Capillary action makes the marker dye move up the paper towel or coffee filter.  The water moves upward through the paper towel or coffee filter, lifting the washable dye molecules with it. Because the washable markers are water-based, they disperse in water.

Make it a Science Experiment

Set up a few different scenarios and hypotheses. For example, if you were to try this experiment without any dye, you would still see the water rising upwards towards the center of the paper towel.

If you were try this experiment with permanent markers it would not work. This is because the markers are not water-based (they are alcohol-based) so the dye in the marker does not travel with the water. You can also show that permanent markers will disperse with rubbing alcohol but not with water.

• You need absorbent paper towel or napkin – we used the brand Bounty
• You must use washable markers – make sure to check it’s washable as not all Crayola brands are washable
• Do not place the end of the paper towel or coffee filter too deep into the water or the dye will dissolve into the water instead of traveling up the paper towel

Chromatography Experiment Instructions

For the coffee filter experiment:

Draw a circle in the center of the coffee filter. Make sure you make it a thick circle with plenty of ink so that there is enough ink to move up the coffee filter.

Fill a cup with about 1/2 an inch of water, or just enough for the non-inked portion to touch the water. You don’t want the black marker to be submerged in the water.

Fold the coffee filter and place it in the water, tip side down.

Do not place the end too deep in the water or the dye may dissolve into the water instead of moving up the coffee filter.

The washable marker dye will slowly make its way up the coffee filter and the colors will begin to separate.

Unfold the coffee filter to reveal a beautiful design!

For the paper towel experiment:

Cut a paper towel down to a smaller length.

Fold over the strip of paper towel (so you have 2 pieces on top of each other).

Draw a thick line of black marker about 2 inches from the end of the paper towel. Make sure you use plenty of black ink so that there is enough to move up the paper towel.

Put about 1 inch of water into a cup.

Place the end of the paper towel in the cup of water. Prop the opposite end of the paper towel on an upside down cup to keep it upright.

The black washable marker dye will slowly make its way up with the water and separate into different colors.

We love how simple this science experiment is!

You can expand on the learning by testing with different kinds of markers – like a permanent marker or dry erase marker. You can also try our grow a rainbow experiment (for more capillary action) or our dry erase experiment!

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May 14, 2015

Chromatography: Be a Color Detective

A colorful project from Science Buddies

By Science Buddies

Key concepts Colors Solutions Molecules Chromatography Primary colors

Introduction Do you love to use bright and vibrant colored art supplies such as markers or paints? Do you ever wonder how these colors are made?

The variety of colors comes from colored molecules. These are mixed into the material—whether ink or paint—to make the product. Some colored molecules are synthetic (or man-made), such as "Yellow No. 5" found in some food dyes. Others are extracted from natural sources, such as carotenoid (pronounced kuh-RAH-tuh-noid) molecules. These are molecules that make your carrot orange. They can be extracted from concentrated natural products, such as saffron.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing . By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

But there is more to making a color look the way it does in your homemade artwork. You might have learned that many colors, such as orange and green, are made by blending other, "primary" colors. So even though our eyes see a single color, the color of a marker, for instance, might be the result of one type of color molecule or it might be a mix of color molecules responsible. This science activity will help you discover the hidden colors in water-soluble markers.

Background We see objects because they reflect light into our eyes. Some molecules only reflect specific colors; it is this reflected, colored light that reaches our eyes and tells our brains that we are seeing a certain color.

Often the colors that we see are a combination of the light reflected by a mixture of different-color molecules. Even though our brains perceive the result as one color, each of the separate types of color molecules stays true to its own color in the mixture. One way to see this is to find a way to separate out the individual types of color molecules from the mixture—to reveal their unique colors.

Paper chromatography is a method used by chemists to separate the constituents (or parts) of a solution. The components of the solution start out in one place on a strip of special paper. A solvent (such as water, oil or isopropyl alcohol) is allowed to absorb up the paper strip. As it does so, it takes part of the mixture with it. Different molecules run up the paper at different rates. As a result, components of the solution separate and, in this case, become visible as strips of color on the chromatography paper. Will your marker ink show different colors as you put it to the test?

Two white coffee filters

Drawing markers (not permanent): brown, yellow and any other colors you would like to test

At least two pencils (one for each color you will be testing)

At least two tall water glasses (one for each color you will be testing), four inches or taller

Two binder clips or clothespins

Drying rack or at least two additional tall water glasses (one for each color you will be testing)

Pencil or pen and paper for taking notes

Preparation

Carefully cut the coffee filters into strips that are each about one inch wide and at least four inches long. Cut at least two strips, one to test brown and one to test yellow. Cut an extra strip for each additional color you would like to test. How do you expect each of the different colors to behave when you test it with the paper strip?

Draw a pencil line across the width of each paper strip, about one centimeter from the bottom end.

Take the brown marker and a paper strip and draw a short line (about one centimeter) on the middle section of the pencil line. Your marker line should not touch the sides of your strip.

Use a pencil to write the color of the marker you just used on the top end of the strip. Note: Do not use the colored marker or pen to write on the strips, as the color or ink will run during the test.

Repeat the previous three steps with a yellow marker and then all the additional colors you would like to test.

Hold a paper strip next to one of the tall glasses (on the outside of it), aligning the top of the strip with the rim of the glass, then slowly add water to the glass until the level just reaches the bottom end of the paper strip. Repeat with the other glass(es), keeping the strips still on the outside and away from the water. What role do you think the water will play?

Fasten the top of a strip (the side farthest from the marker line) to the pencil with a binder clip or clothespin. Pause for a moment. Do you expect this color to be the result of a mixture of colors or the result of one color molecule? If you like, you can make a note of your prediction now.

Hang the strip in one of the glasses that is partially filled with water by letting the pencil rest on the glass rim. The bottom end of the strip should just touch the water level. If needed, add water to the glass until it is just touching the paper. Note: It is important that the water level stays below the marker line on the strip.

Leave the first strip in its glass as you repeat the previous two steps with the second strip and the second glass. Repeat with any additional colors you are testing.

Watch as the water rises up the strips. What happens to the colored lines on the strips? Does the color run up as well? Do you see any color separation?

When the water level reaches about one centimeter from the top (this may take up to 10 minutes), remove the pencils with the strips attached from the glasses. If you let the strips run too long, the water can reach the top of the strips and distort your results.

Write down your observations. Did the colors run? Did they separate in different colors? Which colors can you detect? Which colors are on the top (meaning they ran quickly) and which are on the bottom (meaning they ran more slowly)?

Hang your strips to dry in the empty glasses or on a drying rack. Note that some colors might keep running after you remove the strips from the water. You might need longer strips to see the full spectrum of these colors. The notes you took in the previous step will help you remember what you could see in case the colors run off the paper strip. Look at your strips. How many color components does each marker color have? Can you identify which colors are the result of a mixture of color components and which ones are the result of one hue of color molecule? Are individual color components brightly colored or dull in color? How many different colors can you detect in total?

Extra: Most watercolor marker inks are colored with synthetic color molecules. Artists often like to work with natural dyes. It is fairly easy to make your own dye from colorful plants such as blueberries, red beets or turmeric. To make your own dye, have an adult help you finely chop the plant material and place it in a saucepan. And add just enough water to cover the plant material. Let the mixture simmer covered on the stove for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. If, at this point, the color of your liquid is too faint, you might want to remove the lid of the saucepan and continue boiling until some liquid has evaporated and a more concentrated color is obtained. Let it cool and strain when needed. Now you have natural dye. (Handle with caution, as it can stain surfaces and materials.) To investigate the color components of this dye, repeat the previous procedure but replace the marker line with a drop of natural dye. A dropper will help create a nice drop. Let the drop of dye dry before running the paper strip. Would the color of your natural dye be the result of a mixture of color molecules or one specific color molecule? Does the marker of the same color as your natural dye run in a similar way as your natural dye does?

Extra: In this activity you used water-soluble markers in combination with water as a solvent. You can test permanent markers using isopropyl rubbing alcohol as a solvent. Do you think similar combinations of color molecules are used to color similar-colored permanent markers?

Extra: You can investigate other art supplies, including paints, pastels or inks in a similar way. Be sure to always choose a solvent that dissolves the material that is being tested to run the chromatography test. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, vegetable oil and salt water are some examples of solvents used to perform paper chromatography tests for different substances.

[break] Observations and results Did you find that brown is made up of several types of color molecules, whereas yellow only showed a single yellow color band?

Marker companies combine a small subset of color molecules to make a wide range of colors, much like you can mix paints to make different colors. But nature provides an even wider range of color molecules and also mixes them in interesting ways. As an example, natural yellow color in turmeric is the result of several curcuminoid molecules. The brown pigment umber (obtained from a dark brown clay) is caused by the combination of two color molecules: iron oxides (which have a rusty red-brown color) and manganese oxides (which add a darker black-brown color).

In this activity you investigated the color components using coffee filters as chromatography paper. Your color bands might be quite wide and artistic, whereas scientific chromatography paper would yield narrow bands and more-exact results.

Cleanup Throw away the paper strips and wash the glasses.

More to explore Paper Chromatography , from ChemGuide Paper Chromatography: Is Black Ink Really Black? , from Science Buddies Make Your Own Markers , from Science Buddies Candy Chromatography: What Makes Those Colors? , from Science Buddies Find the Hidden Colors of Autumn Leaves , from Scientific American

This activity brought to you in partnership with Science Buddies

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2: Paper Chromatography of Gel Ink Pens (Experiment)

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• Page ID 93983

• Santa Monica College

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• To use paper chromatography to identify whether certain colored inks are pure substances or mixtures.
• To obtain a paper chromatogram of various gel inks
• To identify components of inks by calculating R f values

Chromatography is a method of physically separating mixtures into its individual components. It is a common laboratory technique used to identify unknown components in mixtures.

There are several types of chromatography; all types employ a mobile phase or eluent (it can be liquid or gas), which is forced through a stationary phase (a solid or semi-solid). Mixtures are separated because some components will be more attracted to the stationary phase (and stick to it) while some components will be more attracted to the mobile phase (and travel with it).

By eye, we cannot know if each ink color is a mixture or pure substance. Using chromatography, the components in a sample will migrate along the filter paper at different rates such that they become spread out and separated from each other. The mobile phase takes advantage of differing solubility or polarity of the components in order to separate them. This component traveling process is called elution . Chromatography can be used to separate inks, dyes, pigments in plants, or used to determine the chemical composition of many substances.

Figure 1 shows a beaker containing mobile phase and a prepared paper stationary phase. A line drawn at the bottom edge of the paper is the starting line . The starting line and ink dots must be above the level of the mobile phase when the paper is placed inside the beaker. If the starting line is below the liquid level, the inks will wash out into the mobile phase rather than elute up the stationary phase. Another line is drawn about 10 cm above the bottom edge of the paper. This is the finish line . Its location was chosen for this experiment because when the eluting solution reaches that line, any inks that are mixtures should be clearly separated.

When the solvent front reaches the finish line, the paper should be removed immediately from contact with the mobile phase.

Figure 2 shows a typical paper chromatogram. There are a few difficulties commonly encountered in the elution process. One problem is that spots tend the spread out as they elute, and can bleed into each other as they proceed up the paper. This can be confusing when interpreting the chromatogram. To avoid this problem, space the spots of sample far apart and make repeated, tiny applications of sample to prevent spreading. Another problem is an uneven solvent front. This can happen if the beaker is nudged – if the mobile phase sloshes inside, the elution trails may travel diagonally, which makes interpretation very difficult. This can also happen if the two edges of the chromatogram are allowed to touch when they are stapled or taped together to form a cylinder.

A component with a given solubility travels along with the mobile phase at one rate, regardless of what other components are present in the sample. If the red part of purple ink travels at the same rate as pure red ink, and both stop in the same place, the two should be the same red ink. The two red spots should have the same Retention Factor , R f . The R f is the distance, \(D\), traveled by the spot divided by the distance traveled by the eluting solution, or Solvent Front , \(F\).

\[R_f=\frac{D}{F} \label{1}\]

Comparing the R f values allows the confirmation of a component in multiple samples because unique components have unique R f values.

Materials and Equipment

Materials: chromatography paper, gel pens, and eluting solution.

Equipment: 600-mL beaker, pencil, ruler, plastic wrap, tape and paper towels.

Wear safety goggles at all times. Use eluting solution only in the hood. Do not breathe fumes from the eluting solution. Be sure to handle only the dry part or the chromatogram when removing it from the beaker. Wash hands thoroughly if the eluting solution touches your skin. Personal protective equipment (PPE) required: lab coat, safety goggles, closed-toe shoes, gloves

Part A: Preparation of Chromatography Paper

• Wash your hands thoroughly to remove excess oils from your skin. Obtain a ruler and a piece of chromatography paper from your instructor. Handle the paper only on the edges to avoid leaving fingerprints, as these may hinder the elution process.
• Place the chromatography paper on a sheet of clean notebook paper or paper towel to avoid picking up dirt or contaminants from the bench top. Orient the paper into a “landscape” position and write your name on the top edge of the paper in one corner. Using a pencil and ruler to measure accurately, draw a straight line across the paper, about 1.5 cm above the bottom edge. This is the starting line . Draw another line about 10 cm above the bottom edge. This is the finish line .
• On the starting line, measure in from one side about 2.5 cm and lightly draw a small “X” centered on the starting line. Draw seven more, 1.5 cm apart.
• In the center of each X, make a small spot of ink color in this order:

black, burgundy, red, pink, violet, turquoise, green, blue

When you have finished, you should have something that looks like Figure 3.

Figure 3: Prepared Chromatography Paper

• Go back over each ink spot a second time to ensure there is enough ink in the spot.
• Obtain a small piece of tape and gently curl the paper into a cylinder, with the spots on the outside. Tape the ends together near the top and bottom, taking care that the two edges of the paper do not touch. If they do touch, the eluent will creep on a diagonal, and the spots will run together, or not in straight lines.

Part B: Acquisition of Chromatogram

• Take a 500-mL beaker and pour about 25-mL of eluting solution into the beaker. Obtain a piece of plastic wrap to cover the top.
• Gently place the paper cylinder into the beaker and cover the top with the plastic wrap. Remember that the spots must be above the liquid level for the experiment to work. Watch the eluent creep up the paper until it begins to move some of the ink. It will take about 45-90 minutes for the solvent front to reach the finish line.
• When the solvent front reaches the finish line, remove the paper from the beaker, being careful to touch only the top. Let excess eluent drip into the beaker. Gently remove the tape and lay the chromatogram on a piece of paper towel in the hood. Leave the paper in the fume hood, where it will dry completely. If needed, use a heat lamp (in the fume hood) to dry the chromatogram; if using the heat lamp, allow 5-10 minutes to dry.

Part C: Interpretation of Chromatogram

• Write the names of the original ink colors beneath each “X” mark (from the order you added the colors). Each ink sample should no longer be on the “X” mark, and have travelled up the paper, becoming one or more separate color spots between the starting and finish lines. Circle around each color spot.
• Use a ruler and draw a plus sign in the center of each spot. Measure the distance from the starting line to each plus sign. Record this distance for each spot on your lab report. These are the \(D\) values, in cm.
• Measure the distance between the starting line and the finish line or, the farthest up that the solvent front reached. Record this distance. This is the \(F\) value, in cm.
• Calculate the retention factor (R f ) for each spot and record the values in your lab report.
• You and your lab partner will hand in your lab reports at the same time, with the paper chromatogram stapled to the lab reports.

Lab Report: Paper Chromatography of Gel Ink Pens

Experimental data.

\(F\) value (the distance traveled by the eluting solution):

Record \(D\) values for each eluted spot to the nearest 0.1 cm. Draw an X through any unused boxes.

Calculate and record the R f value for each eluted spot, using Equation \ref{1}:

Show calculations for R f below for the Purple marker:

Data Analysis

• This lab employs chromatography to separate the components in ink. What other applications can we use chromatography for?
• Are any of the R f values in the table above the same (or similar, within 0.1)? What would the same or similar R f values indicate?
• What are the units for R f values?
• Record ink colors in the appropriate column; for mixtures, list the colors of the components.

• Which color travelled farthest with the mobile phase? What does this indicate about that component’s attraction to the mobile phase? To the stationary phase?
• Which of the materials tested (gel ink pen and colored markers) had an R f value of zero? What does this indicate about that component’s attraction to the mobile phase? To the stationary phase?
• Why is it necessary to use a pencil to mark the lines and X’s on the paper?
• The air we breathe is a mixture of different components. What is the composition of dry air, by percentage? See Fig 1.2 in Chapter 1 of the text.

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Kimberly scott science.

It is a joy to watch students excitement as they uncover the magic of science. We enjoy creating a memorable experience that inspire lifelong learners. As profesional educators we strive to create engaging science activities that guide the teacher and meet the standards.

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Does Chromatography Work With Permanent Markers?

If you’ve ever wondered if chromatography would work with permanent markers, you’re not alone. You’re probably thinking that this method can’t work with your favourite ink, but it can! Read on to find out how it works and why it might be the best option for you. It’s easy, too: chromatography is a simple process that uses ink and water to separate the pigments. However, not all inks are created equally. This is the case with some permanent markers, which can have multiple shades.

Different colours are made of different molecules, which dissolve differently in water. Some get carried further than others. That’s why the process of chromatography requires passing a mixture through a medium at different rates. In this case, the note was written by a mystery person, and each suspect has a different marker. By comparing the pigments of these pens, you’ll be able to determine the exact pen used to write the note.

If you’re worried that permanent markers might ruin the chromatography results, don’t worry. Chromatography is a great way to teach kids about the different components of a mixture. You can even make it more fun by incorporating these experiments into your science curriculum! Try this easy science activity with permanent markers to teach kids about chromatography! And don’t worry – it’s free! If you’re looking for some fun and exciting ways to learn more about science, check out the STEM index!

If you’re concerned about the safety of permanent markers, you may want to consider using a different medium. Water-based markers, like Sharpies, are not waterproof and will wash away in the same way that other types of permanent markers. And as a side note, they tend to be more opaque than water-based ones. But if you’re worried about the possibility of water affecting your permanent markers, you can try using non-permanent archival markers instead.

The distance between molecules in a chromatogram depends on how solubility and size of the molecules are. A heavy molecule travels further than a lighter molecule, so you can use a water-based marker to test this out. The same principle applies to inks, but for different brands. If you want more information about the differences in colouring between water and inks, you can also try isopropyl alcohol.

One thing to note when experimenting with markers is that the ink colors tend to separate differently. Some of them are visible under black light, while others are invisible under white light. The separation process is more complete the longer the paper is exposed to liquid. As the liquid travels up the paper, the order of the different colors does not change. If you try this method, it may be a good option for you!

To begin the experiment, you should prepare the water and paper for chromatography. Prepare the test tubes by putting 1.5 cm of water into each one. You should then lay the strip of chromatography paper over the water and place the dotted end down. It is important to remember that the paper should have enough space above the water, otherwise the sides may touch the water. It is important to wear safety glasses and an apron in the lab.

Related posts:

• Why Can’t Chromatography Paper Touch the Sides?
• Can Chromatography Separate Salt and Water?
• Can Chromatography Separate Drugs From Blood?
• Can Chromatography Separate Solids and Liquids?

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Free Worksheets

Social studies, easy sharpie permanent marker science experiment for kids.

We have been spending quite a bit of time doing science experiments that allow us to work on the scientific method. Not only has it been super fun, it has also strengthened my kids’ skills on asking questions and learning to figure out the answer. This permanent marker experiment had my kids surprised, which makes it even more fun! THis  sharpie experiment is perfect for all ages from kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th garde, and 6th grade elementary age students.  As my kids wrestled with their question: How permanent are permanent markers , we devised this  chromatography for kids  project to find some answers.

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Permanent marker experiment .

One of my favorite things about doing activities with my kids is when all of the supplies come from our cupboards! I didn’t have to actually buy anything extra for this activity. Even if you have to, they are all inexpensive! So if you are looking for a fun, hands on science project for kindergartners, preschoolers, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 students with common household items – you will love this  Permanent Marker Science Experiment  that explores color chromatography.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – this easy science experiment is sure to be a hit!

Chromatography for Kids

Have you heard about chromatography before? Basically it is the separation of the dye from the ink. To do this fun science experiment you will need the following materials:

• Sharpie Markers (We used colored ones, it made it fun)
• 3 Coffee Filters
• 3 Clear Jars/Cups
• White Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol (We used 50%)

Sharpie Experiment

So first, I had my daughter color designs on each of the coffee filters. It doesn’t matter how detailed you do it, just make sure there is a significant amount of color.  I was slightly concerned with the colors mixing, but as you will be able to see – that didn’t happen.  Fill the jars. We filled them between ⅓ and ½ full. One jar has rubbing alcohol, one has white vinegar and one has water. When you are ready, put one colored coffee filter into each jar. It takes a few minutes but the liquid in one of the jars turns from clear to a color. Ours was yellow.  To incorporate the scientific method, we added the steps throughout the activity. Before we started anything, I posed the question to my kids:

• Are Permanent Markers Actually Permanent?  I asked them to write down their hypothesis. They all said YES, they are!
• I asked them to write down the supplies and steps that we were going to take (as I listed above).
• We also wrote down what we observed. How the one liquid (rubbing alcohol) slowly started to change, yet the other two didn’t.
• I asked them to try and guess why that happens.

Chromatography Experiment

When we saw that the colors were pulled in one liquid and not the other, I asked them to write a conclusion. Rubbing alcohol will pull the color from the coffee filter, while white vinegar and water do not. My mom life conclusion is: When we accidently get permanent markers on fabric, we can use rubbing alcohol to help get it out! Don’t quote me on this, but I’m thinking that it would help!

Easy Science Projects for Kids

Looking for more fun,  easy science experiments for kids of all ages? Try these ideas:

• Water Balloon Science Experiment
• Salt Crystal Hearts
• Egg Density Experiment
• How to make Frost in a can Science Experiment
• Free Animal Habitats sticker Worksheets
• Flower Science Experiment
• Month-by-Month Science Experiments for Kids
• Colorful Oil & Water Science Experiment
• Candy Science with pretty skittles, lollipops, m & m’s and more!
• Red white and blue science experiments
• Why Does it Float? (Density for Kids)
• EASY Air Pressure Experiments with an Egg for Kindergartens
• Fizzing Christmas Ornament Christmas science experiments
• Free animal habitats kindergarten worksheets with stickers!
• Christmas Magic Milk Science Experiment
• Gumdrops Ornaments Made with Christmas Science Experiment
• EASY! Dancing Hearts Science Experiment
• Are permanent markers permanent? Paper Chromatography experiment
• Simple Bending Water Experiment
• You MUST try this pretty, impressive Glitter Volcano science project

Looking for more  outdoor activities for kids and  things to do in the summer ? Your toddler, preschool, pre k, kindergarten, and elementary age kids will love these fun ideas to keep them busy all summer long:

• Marshmallow Shooters – go over 30 feet!
• Lemon Volcano is a fun Summer Experiment for kids of all ages
• 2 ingredient Easy Slime Recipe
• How to Make a Simple Newton’s Cradle Science Experiment
• Ice Cream Volcano Experiment – Summer Experiment for Kids
• EPIC Mentos and Soda Experiment
• How to Make a Lava Lamp – it’s super EASY!
• DIY Water Xylophone Activity – Sound Science Experiment for Kids
• Kids will no nuts over this simple Pop Rock Experiment
• Easy Button Crafts for Kids
• Handprint Strawberry Craft for Summer
• Grow Your Own Crystals
• Water Balloon Experiment – exploring densit with an EPIC summer activity for kids
• Amazing Bubble Painting
• Mind Blowing Color Changing Playdough
• Disolving Seashell Activities – a Summer Science Experiment

Deanna Hershberger is a work at home mom, coffee obsessed, a diy addict and a Netflix binger. She spends her days playing and making with her daughter and enjoys quiet nights at home with her husband. She shares all of this on her blog Play Dough & Popsicles.

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