Define Popularity of Chromatography - Basic Separation Technique?
Chromatography is popular because:
(a) minute quantities can be analysed qualitatively and quantitatively,
(b) the equipment is easy to use and the operation is very simple, and
(c) the results obtained are reproducible.
Basically, all chromatographic systems consist of two phases, a mobile phase and a stationary phase and molecules separate because they differ in their distribution between these two phases. The stationary phase is the sorbent and the mobile phase is the analysis by percolation of fluid through a body of porous rigid material irrespective of physiochemical process that leads to the separation of substances.