Chromatography is a recent and most effective technique which was used by Tsweff, a botanist for the separation of coloured substances into individual constutients. The name Chromatography means colour writing (In Greek , Chrome = colour, graphy = writing). However, the name as such has lost its significance. The technique can be used to separate constituents from any mixture whether coloured or colourless.
(i) What is the basic of Chromatographic separation ?
(ii) What is the value associated with it ?

Explanation

(i) Chromatography is based on selective distribution of the various constituents of a mixture between two phases, a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Different constituents migrate at different rates through stationary phase.
(ii) Chromatography is very useful for the separation of constituents and their identification from a mixture available in very small amount (even less than 5 mg or 1 mL). However, other methods of separation are not effective in such cases.