Thin-layer chromatography is a method that can be used to separate pigments extracted from a leaf. Paper chromatography uses paper with a line drawn approximately 1 cm from one end, which is called the baseline (Choice D). This is where a drop of leaf extract is placed. Then the paper is immersed in a solvent with the level of solvent being right below the baseline. This solvent will then move up the paper to separate the pigments found in the leaf extract.
The coloured spots show the distance moved by each pigment (Choice C). The solvent will then move further up and will eventually stop moving. The mark where the solvent stops is known as the solvent front and shows the distance moved by the solvent (Choice B).
In order to find the Rf value for a given pigment, the distance moved by the pigment is divided by the distance moved by the solvent (Choice A).
