Chromatographic analysis finds a number of applications in analytical and Industrial fields based on the principle of

Options

A. Chemical adsorption
B. Physical adsorption
C. Hydrogen bonding
D. Sedimentation

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Chromatography:**
- Chromatography is a technique used for separating mixtures. It involves passing a mixture through a medium (solid or liquid) where different components of the mixture move at different rates.

2. **Principle of Chromatography:**
- The principle underlying chromatography is based on the concept of adsorption. Specifically, it relies on **physical adsorption**, where the components of the mixture adhere to the stationary phase (the medium) due to weak intermolecular forces.

3. **Physical Adsorption Explained:**
- In physical adsorption, the adsorbate (the substance being adsorbed) is held on the surface of the adsorbent (the medium) primarily by **Van der Waals forces**. This is a type of weak interaction that allows for the separation of components based on their affinities for the stationary phase.

4. **Applications of Chromatography:**
- Chromatography has numerous applications in both analytical and industrial fields, including the separation and purification of mixtures of substances. It is widely used in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science for analyzing compounds.

5. **Elimination of Incorrect Options:**
- The question may provide multiple-choice answers. We can eliminate the incorrect options:
- **Chemical adsorption** is incorrect because it involves stronger chemical forces, not the weak Van der Waals forces that characterize physical adsorption.
- **Hydrogen bonding** is also incorrect as it refers to a specific type of strong interaction, not the general principle of adsorption.
- **Sedimentation** is a different process entirely, involving the separation of solids from liquids based on gravity, not adsorption.

6. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer is that chromatographic analysis is based on the principle of **physical adsorption**.

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