Chromatography vs. Chromatogram — What's the Difference?

A method for separating and analyzing compounds in a mixture.

A graph where the x-axis often represents time and the y-axis the detector response.

A process applicable in multiple fields like pharmacology, environmental testing, and food safety.

A result that can be used to quantify the amount of substances present.

A fundamental tool in chemical analysis for identifying substances.

A visual output showing the separation of mixture components.

A technique involving a mobile phase and a stationary phase to isolate substances.

A tool for comparing the presence of substances between samples.

Used for both qualitative and quantitative analysis.

An essential part of documentation in analytical chemistry.

Any of various techniques for the separation of complex mixtures that rely on the differential affinities of substances for a mobile (gas or liquid) medium and for a stationary adsorbing (liquid or solid) medium through which they pass, such as paper, gelatin, or silica.

The pattern of separated substances obtained by chromatography.

Chromatography is a laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture. The mixture is dissolved in a fluid (gas or solvent) called the mobile phase, which carries it through a system (a column, a capillary tube, a plate, or a sheet) on which is fixed a material called the stationary phase.

(analytical chemistry) The visual output from a chromatograph. Usually a graphical display or histogram.

(analytical chemistry) Any of various techniques for the qualitative or quantitative separation of the components of mixtures of compounds; all characterised by the use of a mobile phase (gas or liquid) moving relative to a stationary phase (liquid or solid) – the differences between the rates of migration of the compounds between the two phases effects the separation.

The paper strip, column, gel, or TLC plate on which subsances have been separated by a process of chromatography{2}.

A treatise on colors

The record of the results of a process of chromatography{2}, produced by an instrument which measures some property related to the concentration of substances over the course of a chromatographic process. The record may be printed, for example, on a piece of paper, showing the concentration of some substance as a function of time or volume; or it may be retained in a computer and displayed on a video display terminal.

An analytical and preparative technique for separating substances by differences in their selective adsorption to solids, by passing a liquid over the solid, to which the substances to be separated have usually been adsorbed in a preliminary step. The major variations are column chromatography, in which the substances to be separated are adsorbed to a column with any of a wide variety of adsorbing solids in powdered or granulated form; paper chromatography, in which the solids are applied as a spot at one end of a strip of absorbent paper (such as filter paper), and the liquid is percolated through the paper by capillary action; and thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which is similar to paper chromatography, but the adsorbent material is, instead of paper, a thin layer of finely powdered material, such as cellulose or silica, on a backing of glass or plastic, called a TLC plate. A modern version of column chromatography is high-performance liquid chromatography, usually referred to as HPLC.

The recording (column or paper strip) on which the constituents of a mixture are adsorbed in chromatography

A process used for separating mixtures by virtue of differences in absorbency

Chromatography is used for separating, identifying, and purifying chemical substances within a mixture.

A chromatogram shows how substances in a mixture have been separated, typically displaying peaks or bands representing different components.

Yes, by comparing the chromatogram to known standards, unknown substances can often be identified.

The key components include a mobile phase, a stationary phase, a column, and a detector.

There are several types, including gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography, each suitable for different kinds of samples.

A chromatogram is read by analyzing the retention time and size of peaks, which correspond to different substances in the sample.

It is critical for the purity analysis and quality control of drugs.

The cost can vary widely depending on the type of chromatography and the complexity of the analysis.

While very versatile, chromatography may not be suitable for all mixtures, especially those with very similar physical and chemical properties.

Chromatography is the process, and a chromatogram is the visual or recorded result of this process.

They use it to detect and quantify pollutants in water, air, and soil.

Yes, many modern chromatographic techniques are automated to increase throughput and reproducibility.

Each peak represents a different component of the mixture that has been separated in the chromatography process.

In forensic science, chromatograms help identify substances such as drugs, toxins, and explosives in samples.

Safety precautions include using proper ventilation, handling chemicals with care, and wearing appropriate protective equipment.