chromatography is the mathod used to separate and purify compounds when present in small amounts. State true or false.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Chromatography**: Chromatography is a technique used for separating and purifying compounds from mixtures. It is particularly effective for analyzing small amounts of substances.

2. **Components of Chromatography**: There are two main components in chromatography:
- **Mobile Phase**: This is the phase that moves and carries the components of the mixture.
- **Stationary Phase**: This phase remains fixed and interacts with the components of the mixture.

3. **Separation Process**: In a chromatographic setup, a small amount of the mixture is applied to the stationary phase. As the mobile phase moves through the stationary phase, different components of the mixture will travel at different rates, leading to their separation.

4. **Importance of Small Amounts**: The statement mentions that chromatography is used when compounds are present in small amounts. This is crucial because:
- Using too much of the sample can lead to overlapping of the components, making it difficult to achieve clear separation.
- A small amount ensures that the components can be effectively separated and analyzed.

5. **Conclusion**: Given the explanation of how chromatography works and the necessity of using small amounts for effective separation, we can conclude that the statement is true.

**Final Answer**: The statement "chromatography is the method used to separate and purify compounds when present in small amounts" is **True**.

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