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Frequently Asked Questions about Gas Chromatography
What is gas chromatography?
Gas chromatography is an analytical technique that analyses components of a sample in the gas phase.
How does gas chromatography work?
In gas chromatography, a column is packed with a solid or a solid coated with a viscous liquid. This is the stationary phase. The analyte sample is then vaporised and injected into a capillary tube or column. An unreactive gas such as helium acts as the mobile phase. The sample mixes with the mobile phase and is passed through the column under pressure at a high temperature. The components in the sample separate as they pass through the column according to their relative affinity to each stage. They then pass into a detector, which produces a signal proportional to the relative amount of each component. The signal is used to make a chromatogram.
What is the basic principle of gas chromatography?
Each component within the sample has a different relative affinity to the stationary and mobile phase. This leads to the components travelling through the capillary tube/column at different rates, and thus gives them different retention times. As a result, the components are separated. We can use retention times to identify the components, or connect the chromatography system to a mass spectrometer for more detailed analysis.
How does temperature affect gas chromatography?
Temperature affects the retention time of the components of the sample, the pressure of the column, as well as the shape of the peaks which appear on the chromatogram.
What is the purpose of gas chromatography?
Gas chromatography separates components in a gaseous sample and gives us the quantities of each analyte present. Therefore, it is useful since it allows chemists to analyse complex mixtures, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
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