Lesson 5.8.1.3

5.8.1.3 Chromatography Quiz: AQA Combined Science, Unit 15

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.8.1.3, Chromatography: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Combined Science (8464), Unit 15: Chemical analysis, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What two phases are used to separate mixtures in chromatography?

    • Liquid and vapour
    • Solid and gas
    • Stationary and mobile
    • Solvent and solute

  2. What determines how substances separate during paper chromatography?

    • Atomic mass values
    • Distribution between phases
    • Melting point data
    • Density of particles

  3. What does the Rf value represent in chromatography calculations?

    • Product of masses
    • Difference in speeds
    • Ratio of distances
    • Sum of volumes

  4. A pure compound produces how many spots in all solvents?

    • None
    • Three
    • One
    • Two

  5. In paper chromatography, separation depends on distribution between which two factors?

    • Two phases
    • Two pressures
    • Two temperatures
    • Two volumes

  6. What values are compared to identify substances in chromatography?

    • Rf values
    • Boiling points
    • pH values
    • Melting points

  7. A spot moves 3.0 cm while the solvent moves 6.0 cm. Rf is:

    • 9.0
    • 0.5
    • 0.33
    • 2.0

  8. A spot moves 4.2 cm while the solvent moves 10.5 cm. Rf is:

    • 0.24
    • 0.4
    • 2.5
    • 0.6

  9. A spot is at 2.4 cm and the solvent front is at 8.0 cm. Rf is:

    • 0.03
    • 3.3
    • 0.3
    • 0.8

  10. A spot is at 1.2 cm and the solvent is at 6.0 cm. Rf is:

    • 5
    • 0.8
    • 0.2
    • 0.12

  11. A spot with Rf 0.75 in a solvent that moved 4 cm has moved:

    • 0.19 cm
    • 4.75 cm
    • 3 cm
    • 5.33 cm

  12. Ink that shows several spots after chromatography indicates:

    • A pure compound
    • A single solvent
    • An element
    • A mixture

  13. Why is the baseline on a chromatography paper drawn in pencil?

    • Ink is thicker
    • Pencil is colourful
    • Pencil is insoluble
    • Ink is insoluble

  14. What is the paper called in paper chromatography?

    • Solvent front
    • Origin line
    • Mobile phase
    • Stationary phase

  15. Rf for distances 2.35 cm and 7.2 cm, to 2 significant figures, is:

    • 0.32
    • 3.1
    • 0.33
    • 0.3

  16. A spot moves 6 cm and the solvent moves 9 cm. Rf is:

    • 0.6
    • 1.5
    • 0.15
    • 0.67

  17. What determines how fast a substance travels in chromatography?

    • Phase distribution
    • Tube diameter
    • Paper mass
    • Spot colour

  18. Why does a pure substance produce only one spot in chromatography?

    • One component present
    • It is too heavy
    • It is insoluble
    • It has high density

  19. Which two distances are measured to calculate an Rf value?

    • Substance and paper
    • Substance and solvent
    • Solvent and beaker
    • Origin and baseline

  20. Which term describes the phase that does not move during chromatography?

    • Solvent front
    • Mobile phase
    • Stationary phase
    • Filtrate

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