Question

Describe what happens to a mixture you have placed on a chromatographic column as you increase the polarity of the solvents you run through the column.

Answer 1

If the polarity of the solvent is increased both polar and non polar compounds would run through the column.. this can be explained further more as below..

In a column compounds are seperated as to the polarity. Since silica,the stationary phase is polar the polar compounds bind to the silica and they take more time to reach the bottom.. if the polarity of the solvent is high the polar compounds will also move with the solvent.

Non polar compounds will also move to the bottom..