Paper chromatography is among the simplest of chromatographic techniques.
In paper chromatography, the stationary phase is a piece of paper and the mobile phase is a liquid. The basis for chromatography is that different analyte species will partition differently between the stationary and mobile phases. In other words, as the mobile phase is introduced to the stationary phase, an analyte will distribute itself between these phases depending upon its affinity toward one or the other. An analyte with more affinity toward the mobile phase will exist in a higher concentration in the mobile phase than in the stationary phase at a given point in time. To answer this question, we must consider the technique involved.