Chromatographic Techniques MCQs

Chromatographic techniques are essential analytical methods used to separate, identify, and analyze components in a mixture. These types of techniques, including paper, thin-layer, and gas chromatography play a crucial role in pharmaceuticals, forensics, and chemical research. Explore our MCQs on chromatographic techniques to enhance your understanding and test your knowledge effectively.

1. What is the stationary phase in paper chromatography?
   • A) A liquid solvent
   • B) A gas
   • C) A paper sheet or strip
   • D) A thin-layer plate
   • Answer: C) A paper sheet or strip
2. Who discovered paper chromatography?
   • A) Robert Boyle
   • B) Synge and Martin
   • C) Mikhail Tsvet
   • D) Einstein
   • Answer: B) Synge and Martin
3. Which of the following is the principle of thin-layer chromatography (TLC)?
   • A) Partitioning
   • B) Solubility
   • C) Adsorption
   • D) All of the above
   • Answer: D) All of the above
4. What is the main advantage of paper chromatography?
   • A) Requires large sample size
   • B) Inexpensive and simple
   • C) Requires complex instruments
   • D) Used only for gas samples
   • Answer: B) Inexpensive and simple
5. What is the retardation factor (Rf) in chromatography?
   • A) Distance traveled by solute / Distance traveled by solvent
   • B) Distance traveled by solvent / Distance traveled by solute
   • C) Distance traveled by column
   • D) Distance traveled by detector
   • Answer: A) Distance traveled by solute / Distance traveled by solvent
6. What is the most commonly used stationary phase in TLC?
   • A) Water
   • B) Silica gel
   • C) Helium
   • D) Acetone
   • Answer: B) Silica gel
7. Which of the following is NOT a type of chromatography?
   • A) Paper chromatography
   • B) Gas chromatography
   • C) Liquid chromatography
   • D) Magnetic chromatography
   • Answer: D) Magnetic chromatography
8. What is the mobile phase in gas chromatography?
   • A) Liquid solvent
   • B) Stationary phase
   • C) Carrier gas
   • D) Adsorbent
   • Answer: C) Carrier gas
9. What type of chromatography is best for separating proteins?
   • A) Paper chromatography
   • B) Gas chromatography
   • C) Gel permeation chromatography
   • D) HPLC
   • Answer: C) Gel permeation chromatography
10. Which chromatography technique is commonly used for drug testing in sports?
    • A) Paper chromatography
    • B) Column chromatography
    • C) Gas chromatography
    • D) Thin-layer chromatography
    • Answer: C) Gas chromatography
11. What is the role of binders in TLC plates?
    • A) To help the sample dissolve
    • B) To enhance the binding of adsorbents
    • C) To act as a mobile phase
    • D) To prevent sample loss
    • Answer: B) To enhance the binding of adsorbents
12. Which of the following is NOT a commonly used adsorbent in TLC?
    • A) Silica gel
    • B) Alumina
    • C) Cellulose powder
    • D) Gold
    • Answer: D) Gold
13. In HPLC, what does the mobile phase consist of?
    • A) A solid
    • B) A liquid solvent
    • C) A gas
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: B) A liquid solvent
14. What is the function of the detector in chromatography?
    • A) Separates compounds
    • B) Measures the amount of compound present
    • C) Adsorbs the sample
    • D) Mixes the solvents
    • Answer: B) Measures the amount of compound present
15. What is the purpose of a guard column in HPLC?
    • A) To protect the main column
    • B) To speed up separation
    • C) To mix solvents
    • D) To change the pH of the mobile phase
    • Answer: A) To protect the main column
16. Which of the following statements is correct about ion-exchange chromatography?
    • A) Separates molecules based on their charge
    • B) Separates molecules based on size
    • C) Uses helium as a carrier gas
    • D) Detects only colorless compounds
    • Answer: A) Separates molecules based on their charge
17. What is a common application of gas chromatography?
    • A) Analyzing proteins
    • B) Identifying pollutants in air samples
    • C) Detecting bacterial growth
    • D) Measuring blood sugar levels
    • Answer: B) Identifying pollutants in air samples
18. Which column type is most commonly used in HPLC?
    • A) Open tubular column
    • B) Packed column
    • C) Paper column
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: B) Packed column
19. Which factor affects separation in size-exclusion chromatography?
    • A) Molecular size
    • B) Polarity
    • C) Charge
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: A) Molecular size
20. What is the ideal property of a solvent in HPLC?
    • A) High viscosity
    • B) High boiling point
    • C) Should be miscible with mobile phase
    • D) Should be completely non-polar
    • Answer: C) Should be miscible with mobile phase
21. In reversed-phase HPLC, which phase is more polar?
    • A) Mobile phase
    • B) Stationary phase
    • C) Both have the same polarity
    • D) Neither is polar
    • Answer: A) Mobile phase
22. What type of chromatography is most suitable for analyzing volatile compounds?
    • A) Ion-exchange chromatography
    • B) Gel chromatography
    • C) Gas chromatography
    • D) Paper chromatography
    • Answer: C) Gas chromatography
23. Which factor is crucial for choosing a mobile phase in gas chromatography?
    • A) Solubility
    • B) Molecular weight
    • C) Boiling point
    • D) Adsorption properties
    • Answer: C) Boiling point
24. What is the main function of a flame ionization detector in GC?
    • A) Detects UV absorbance
    • B) Detects ions by burning
    • C) Separates molecules
    • D) Identifies molecular weight
    • Answer: B) Detects ions by burning
25. What does HPLC stand for?
    • A) High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
    • B) High Performance Liquid Chromatography
    • C) High Polarity Liquid Chromatography
    • D) Hybrid Process Liquid Chromatography
    • Answer: B) High Performance Liquid Chromatography
26. What is the main use of gradient elution in chromatography?
    • A) To separate molecules of different sizes
    • B) To optimize separation efficiency
    • C) To detect ions
    • D) To enhance the color of the sample
    • Answer: B) To optimize separation efficiency
27. Which of the following is an application of ion-exchange chromatography?
    • A) Protein purification
    • B) Gas analysis
    • C) Separating pigments
    • D) Analyzing DNA fragments
    • Answer: A) Protein purification
28. What is the purpose of a suppressor in ion chromatography?
    • A) Increases elution rate
    • B) Reduces background conductivity
    • C) Detects fluorescence
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: B) Reduces background conductivity
29. What is the major disadvantage of GC?
    • A) Cannot analyze volatile substances
    • B) Requires a non-aqueous sample
    • C) Cannot separate ions
    • D) All of the above
    • Answer: B) Requires a non-aqueous sample
30. What does retention time (Rt) represent?
    • A) Time taken for a sample to elute
    • B) Distance moved by solvent
    • C) Detector response time
    • D) None of the above
    • Answer: A) Time taken for a sample to elute