chromatography

[ kroh-muh-tog-ruh-fee ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. the separation of mixtures into their constituents by preferential adsorption by a solid, as a column of silica column chromatography or a strip of filter paper paper chromatography, or by a liquid.

chromatography

/ ˌkrəʊmətəˈɡræfɪk; ˌkrəʊməˈtɒɡrəfɪ /

noun

1. the technique of separating and analysing the components of a mixture of liquids or gases by selective adsorption in, for example, a column of powder ( column chromatography ) or on a strip of paper ( paper chromatography ) See also gas chromatography

chromatography

/ krō′mə-tŏg′rə-fē /

1. A technique used to separate the components of a chemical mixture by moving the mixture along a stationary material, such as gelatin. Different components of the mixture are caught by the material at different rates and form isolated bands that can then be analyzed.

Derived Forms

• ˌchromaˈtographer, noun
• ˌchromatoˈgraphically, adverb
• chromatographic, adjective

Other Words From

• chroma·togra·pher noun
• chro·mat·o·graph·ic [kr, uh, -mat-, uh, -, graf, -ik, kroh-m, uh, -t, uh, -], adjective
• chroma·to·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatography¹

First recorded in 1725–35; chromato- + -graphy

Example Sentences

She also uses soil chromatography, a photographic process that indicates the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the earth.

From BBC

It used analytical techniques such as size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy allowing scientists to examine not just how the teabags had changed visibly but also structurally.

From Science Daily

They also looked at the chemical profiles of the cultures using high-performance liquid chromatography, both at the culture and single-cell level.

From Science Daily

The researchers used a wire coil to externally apply a magnetic field to a glass chromatography column filled with stacked disks of stainless-steel mesh.

From Science Daily

His own laboratory switched from helium gas to hydrogen gas for a chromatography project.

From Seattle Times