What is the primary purpose of chromatography?

Chromatography is a technique primarily used to separate and analyze the individual components within a mixture. This method exploits the differences in the movement of substances when they are dissolved in a solvent and passed through a medium, allowing for the isolation of various substances based on their different properties, such as affinity for the stationary phase or solubility.

For example, in liquid chromatography, the mixture is carried by a solvent through a column filled with solid material. Different components of the mixture will travel at varying speeds, leading to their separation. This separation enables scientists to analyze the different substances for identification, characterization, or purity assessment. Chromatography is widely used in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental science for the analysis of complex mixtures, making it a fundamental tool in both research and industry.