Most observations were made after the paper dried, but some were made immediately after the paper was removed from the water. The filter paper acts as the support for the stationary phase, which is the solvent. In this experiment water was used as the solvent. The paper is almost pure cellulose which absorbs other liquids better. The solute or organic liquid is the mobile phase which travels from a reservoir by capillary action up the filter paper.
Rf constants are the numerical values used in determining the results of chromatography.
Rf constants are determined by dividing the distance traveled by the solute or stationary substance by the mobile or solute. Rf values depend on the nature of the mobile phase, the nature and dimensions of the apparatus and the filter paper itself. Temperature, humidity, contaminants are other factors but usually are less significant. Chromatography works because the stationary phase is the more hydrophilic one in conventional paper chromatography and therefore is drawn up further on the filter paper. How far the mobile phase is drawn up the filter paper depends on its chemical structure and how hydrophilic it is.