Middle School Science
Introduction
Over the next few weeks, you will plan and
conduct science investigations to continue
your learning. This week, you will learn
about chromatography, the process of
separating the components of a mixture.
Most non-permanent markers use inks that
are made of a mixture of colored pigments
and water. You will use chromatography
to separate the pigments of non-
permanent markers to determine if and/or
how they might be different.
A pigment is a natural coloring material
found in animals, plants, and minerals.
Spinach is green because it contains the
green pigment, chlorophyll. A cardinal bird
is red because it contains the pigment vermillion. Cobalt blue is made from cobalt and aluminum.
Materials
tall, clear glass coffee filter or paper towel ruler or measuring tape
pencil tape non-permanent markers
scissors water timing device (phone/timer)
notebook paper colored pencils (optional) graph paper (optional)
Directions
1. On a sheet of notebook paper, copy the
Experimental Design Diagram (EDD) shown
at right. Have three additional sheets of
notebook or graph paper handy.
2. Read through all the directions for this
experiment and fill in the EDD.
3. Cut the coffee filter (or paper towel) into 12
strips that are 3cm (1 ½ in) wide. You will
use each strip for ONE trial of your
experiment.
4. Select four different colors of non-
permanent markers to test. Make sure they
are dark colors.
5. Use one of the markers to draw a dot on
the coffee filter about 3 cm (1 ½ in) from the end. (See photo next page).
6. Tape the other end of the coffee filter to the pencil. Make sure that the coffee filter isn’t touching
the bottom of the glass (see photo next page).
Introduction
Over the next few weeks, you will plan and
conduct science investigations to continue
your learning. This week, you will learn
about chromatography, the process of
separating the components of a mixture.
Most non-permanent markers use inks that
are made of a mixture of colored pigments
and water. You will use chromatography
to separate the pigments of non-
permanent markers to determine if and/or
how they might be different.
A pigment is a natural coloring material
found in animals, plants, and minerals.
Spinach is green because it contains the
green pigment, chlorophyll. A cardinal bird
is red because it contains the pigment vermillion. Cobalt blue is made from cobalt and aluminum.
Materials
tall, clear glass coffee filter or paper towel ruler or measuring tape
pencil tape non-permanent markers
scissors water timing device (phone/timer)
notebook paper colored pencils (optional) graph paper (optional)
Directions
1. On a sheet of notebook paper, copy the
Experimental Design Diagram (EDD) shown
at right. Have three additional sheets of
notebook or graph paper handy.
2. Read through all the directions for this
experiment and fill in the EDD.
3. Cut the coffee filter (or paper towel) into 12
strips that are 3cm (1 ½ in) wide. You will
use each strip for ONE trial of your
experiment.
4. Select four different colors of non-
permanent markers to test. Make sure they
are dark colors.
5. Use one of the markers to draw a dot on
the coffee filter about 3 cm (1 ½ in) from the end. (See photo next page).
6. Tape the other end of the coffee filter to the pencil. Make sure that the coffee filter isn’t touching
the bottom of the glass (see photo next page).
