Classroom Experiment - Paper Chromatography

Today we are going to start a blog series to give some classroom activities to help kids understand some simple concepts of science.  In addition to the worksheet, supporting materials will be added to our main site at http://www.HekkoEducation.com.

Paper Chromatography -
Materials Needed:
Paper Towels or Coffee Filters,
Scissors
Tape
Plastic Cups
Water
Food Coloring or Water Soluble Markers

Time for Experiment: 15-30 Minutes for main activity, around 1 hour to let sit. Overnight to allow the paper to dry

How it Works:
1) Students need to cut paper towels into strips
2) Students should choose a few markers/colors of food coloring (note: having students choose a combination of primary and secondary colors works well for this)
3) Have the students draw a line with the markers across the paper towels approximately one inch from the bottom of the strip(or if using food coloring, put a single drop thereabouts)
4) Fill the plastic cups with water about half way
5) Have the students suspend the paper towel so that the ink mark is not touching the water.
6) Leave the experiment to sit for about an hour
7) Have the students take the paper out of the paper, and let sit overnight.
8) Look at the slips the next day, and have a discussion about what colors have appeared from the slips.


Discussion:
After completing the Experiment, take some time to discuss what was happening during the experiment.  Talk about how the paper towels sucked up the water (like a plant does), as well as the colors that did or did not separate into more than one color during the experiment.  Have the kids suggest ideas about what they think is the reason for the colors separating, and where they could use the information in real life.  One example that could be prepared before class is to take a packet of Kool-Aid (lemon-line perhaps), and prepare it in the same way as the class.  From the colors that separate out in the paper, ask the kids if someone that is allergic to blue dye could drink it.

A New Science Experiment will be posted next week, and until then, don't forget to check out our website at www.HekkoEducation.com to download other support materials, and in the near future, support materials to go along with this lesson!