Easy⏱ time30 min$ cost3
Marker Chromatography
Separate a single marker's hidden colours by letting water creep up paper.
Start building ↓
Result first
The build
Step 01
Spot the ink
Draw a dot of one colour near the paper's bottom.
Step 02
Dip the edge
Hang the paper so just the tip touches water.
Step 03
Let it climb
Water rises and carries the inks upward.
Step 04
Read the bands
Different pigments spread to different heights.
Working Principle
Water drags the ink up the paper; pigments that stick less to the paper travel farther, separating the mix into bands.
The science behind it
A closer look
Chromatography sorts molecules by how strongly they cling to the paper versus dissolve in the moving water.
Take it further
Variables to test
- 1 Compare brands of black marker — same pigments?
- 2 Try alcohol instead of water as the solvent.
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