Often in a scientific experiment a scientist is trying to find out whether a particular substance is pure or not. The more interesting colors to use will be the purple, brown, orange and green ones. Experimental Method We will use a method called Paper Chromatography to try to answer our question.
Paper chromatography is a process used for separating mixtures.
The paper will absorb the water, and the water will move up towards the top of the paper. As the water wicks up the paper it passes through the line drawn with the marker. Since the marker is a washable marker, the ink is soluble in the water and moves along with the water. However, the water is moving through the paper and so the marker ink is also moving through the paper. The different colored dye molecules may actually like to stick somewhat to the paper.