vUnit 6 Learning aim A: Undertake a literature
search. Chromatography
Introduction
My investigation is centred on the question of why pricey black felt tip pens exhibit more colours than
inexpensive black felt tip pens. What exactly is chromatography? Chromatography is an analytical
and purifying method for separating mixture components. The different components of the mixture
will move through the stationary phase at different speeds, causing them to separate from one another
and revealing the absorbent areas. Paper chromatography can be used to separate particles based on
their polarity as they migrate towards the mobile phase and the stationary phase. The cellulose filter
paper is used in the stationary phase & The liquid mobile phase It's useful for my experiment since
I'm trying to figure out why stationary firms produce felt tip pens differently. When I buy felt tip pens
from low-cost companies like Poundland, the quality isn't as good or as long-lasting. However, more
expensive companies, such as WHSmith, produce more luxury and high-quality goods that function
effectively. When it comes to the degree I want to study in the future, pharmacy, it's crucial to use a
non-smudge pen that will not fade when there is water and doing so can avoid confusion and having
to phone the GP to inquire what exactly they've said.
Problem Statement
To begin, why can't less expensive papers perform as well as more expensive sheets? Is it because of
marketing and pharmaceutical sales that they do this to benefit from schools and colleges? Why do
black felt tip pens have to be used to differentiate between ink types? Why can't a huge quantity be
used in paper chromatography? I believe the difficulty with paper chromatography of samples is that
it is ineffective for qualitative analysis (since we count the colours that have been produced the
quantitative data). Paper chromatography cannot always separate complex mixtures and is not as
accurate as HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography)– This is far superior to paper
chromatography since it can separate the various chemicals to be dissolved in the liquid sample and
then allows both qualitative and quantitative examination of what components are there and how
much of each compound is present in the sample. Paper chromatography is low-pressure sampling and
has a slower procedure than HPLC, which is high-pressure sampling and speedier, but it is highly
expensive to obtain. But, in general, why do better-made pens generate more vibrant colours than
inexpensive felt-tip pens? I believe there are issues that have not been addressed. For example, when
it comes to chromatography analysis, it can be difficult to obtain an accurate reading due to equipment
that can make it difficult to read and elements that influence it such as the column and mobile phases.
There are some trials like this, thus I wish to test them further to determine their validity and
dependability. (D.A. Skoog and J. J. Leary).
Research Questions
Hypothesis: Why do expensive felt tip pens show more colours than inexpensive black felt tips pens
which show less colours?
Aims: I aim to differentiate the colours between the cheaper brands and the expensive brands of felt
tip pens
,I aim to measure the Rf values of the expensive brand felt tip pen & the cheap felt tip pens using
equipment’s like a ruler & pen to mark the spots that were produced.
I aim to make a comparison with my fellow colleague to see whether the pens she used showed a
better result compared to mine.
Independent: the different types of pen inks.
Dependent: the colours produced & the Rf values
Control: The solvent to see exactly how each felt tip pen reacts differently from one another, the
volume of the solvent this is to avoid having uncertainty, same number of dots, timings (timing how
long each colour goes up till end of the 1-hour session), & temperature.
Rationale
Because of my interest in studying pharmacy at university, I picked this project to learn more about
how chromatography is utilised in the pharmaceutical sector. Chromatography is used in a variety of
applications, including the preparation of large amounts of pure materials for the examination of
purified substances for trace contaminants, such as method development and drug validation, drug
discovery and development, and drug impurities analysis. For example, liquid chromatography is a
valuable analytical tool for ensuring that the components of the drug formulation are established,
detecting contaminants, and quantifying the drug formulation. Being an expert in chromatography can
be a very important skill to learning the things that pharmaceutical businesses do mention that the
pharmaceuticals are securely disturbed. That's why I think completing the ink test for both expensive
and inexpensive inks and seeing the differences and which ones should be advised to buy is a good
idea. In addition, some forensic experts utilise these approaches to solve crimes by matching letters or
evidence from a crime scene stain to determine which pen belongs to the suspect.
Furthermore, this can aid in analysing the unfamiliar ink and comparing it to writing instruments
taken from suspects. Because our minds assume that felt-tip pens only have one colour, it's intriguing
to see the unique colours that each felt-tip pen generates and how it's helped to make other items that
we use in our daily lives, as well as to check if a brand is pricey or inexpensive. In addition, different
pigment combinations are used in the blank felt-tip pens by different black felt-tip pen companies.
Are these colours simple to create and where do they come from? This has piqued my interest,
therefore if I were given an expensive pen, I would like to compare the many colours generated to the
inexpensive black felt-tip pens that I own to determine which one would last longer and produce a
higher quality of work. The chromatographic techniques performed can be extremely useful in many
science experiments that could be performed in many units that I completed last year, such as unit 2,
and doing so can assist me give. A deeper grasp of how chromatography may be used in a variety of
fascinating science projects. There aren't enough resources on the internet that have done this type of
experiment, so it would be nice to do something other than utilise fountain pens and the type of
solvent that will be used for this experiment. The truth that this chromatography is useful in
performing exact separation is fantastic for longer pharmaceutical industries to observe what things
they seek for when extracting medications. The fact that it utilises relatively few samples is important
for conserving money, and I want to see if the solvents I use can assist highlight the significant
difference between the expensive and affordable pens in terms of the colours used. Because
chromatography has several uses in chemical sciences, one of which being biochemistry, it can be
used to separate chemical molecules of biological origin. If I had the chance, I would investigate
,where they get these colours from, how each colour is removed, and how much labour goes into
making these pens. (D.A. Skoog and J. J. Leary)
Key Concepts, Theories and Studies
The similarities and differences of these 6 chosen literature reviews that I think with my literature
review are that with the first literature review is with John Bosley who talks about the difference
between inexpensive and expensive fountain pens, with compared to my experiment I will be using
felt-tip pens, which is the first difference. John Bosley discusses how the nibs of our pens can
influence the way our writing looks, because the cheaper pens tend to use materials like steel nibs,
which can aid to show the writing well but aren't as flexible. Furthermore, cheaper pens have plastic
feeds, but more expensive pens have ebonite feeds, which promotes higher ink flow. Similarly, I agree
with his remark because this may be compared to more expensive felt-tip pens that have a smoother
surface and do not spew out colour. So, the writer concludes that instead of focusing on one brand,
seek for ones that function well with the type of handwriting style you use, and thus it depends on
what people believe are suitable for them.
In some ways, it does show that it is reliable for the dates mentioned, as well as the fact that it is
reliable and valid for the following reasons, such as the fact that he has done research into his
experiment and has purchased various types of pens and analysed them, indicating that it has been
conducted. The fact that the individual who conducted this experiment with different pens of
essentially the same pens obtained mainly identical findings demonstrates its dependability.
Furthermore, when percentages are used and equivalent results are obtained, it is thought to be more
accurate. In describing, comparison is useful. the validity to determine whether the findings of the
experiment reveal a difference between expensive and affordable pens. Furthermore, the accuracy of
using participants can be even more beneficial in the variable that it is intended to assess. The years he
spent conducting his research appear more credible and reliable because it is updated material that
appears to be relatively new; this aided me. However, because he isn't a scientist and does this as a
hobby, it suggests that he may be providing information that isn't as reliable and hasn't been
conducted as thoroughly to demonstrate any statistics and variables mentioned that can be tested out.
He conducted research on the type of fountain pens. This is an article in which he expresses his view,
which may be incorrect, and it should not be regarded as reliable because scientific knowledge must
pass via Ofcom, which must be strictly regulated. Furthermore, conducting experiments by the same
person decreases the validity and dependability of the information produced. When there is respect,
people like to have debates under his post on asking questions for his understanding on specific
topics. Furthermore, because he is an author, I'm curious if he has a scientific background or evidence
to indicate that the information offered is correct and that he is an expert in this, but he has shown
images, which is a good use of the material that has been presented. He has provided his own
viewpoint and has mentioned himself several times. But I think what's important is that he compared
the paper towel and coffee filter, which he states achieves a similar result to chromatography paper.
(Victoria rees-europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com)
Furthermore, a direct conclusion has been offered with adequate evidence to accept their argument.
The sample size chosen is enough for extrapolation. Furthermore, there are no references cited,
indicating that it is not as trustworthy. It is preferable to use references to demonstrate that the study
, undertaken is accurate and reputable. Depending on what you're writing for, I believe that the more
costly brands utilise less colours because they use pure colours as opposed to cheaper brands, and the
materials they use can have an impact on how each individual's handwriting looks. Also, the solvent
he uses for the fountain pen ink chromatography is water, which I believe is slow, whereas I'll be
using acetone because it can show the results faster than water can, and the fact that he doesn't cover
the chromatography to the glass could affect the different rate of readings of the Rf values, for which
I'll be using a lid to cover my glass, and the fact that John experimented with one
sharpie pen this will be different to mine since & if there was a mean average in results in can be
helpful in adding more validity to the experiment.
Finally, many articles discuss the chromatography of fountain pens, demonstrating that there is a
limitation in finding information about using expensive and inexpensive felt-tip pens, which will be
useful in concluding a conclusion for the future generation who will be researching and could
compare to my experiment to see the results that they had obtained. So knowing the types of pens they
should use when writing on different types of paper helps. Ensure that the following safety
precautions are followed when using markers in the workplace: ensure that you avoid travelling near
combustible areas Fizzics education describes how chromatography works. As the solvent goes up the
chromatography paper, the mixture follows. As a result, when the components of the mixture move at
different speeds, such as hydrophobic (water-hating) or hydrophilic (water-loving), changing the
solvents can produce a variety of distinct results. Because of the chemical nature of the dyes, this is
possible. The person who performed this experiment used paper towels, a plastic cup, and held the
paper for it to rise. I disagree with this strategy since holding the paper can create hand fatigue;
instead, a paper clip should be used. I also agree with the experiment because the longer you leave the
paper towel, the more colours it will spread.
Furthermore, it demonstrates that it is reliable for the dates mentioned, as well as the fact that it is
reliable and valid for the following reasons, such as the fact that he has done research into his
experiment and has purchased various types of pens and analysed them, indicating that it has been
conducted. The fact that the individual who conducted this experiment with different pens of
essentially the same pens obtained mainly identical findings demonstrates its dependability.
Furthermore, when percentages are used and equivalent results are obtained, it is thought to be more
accurate.
Comparison is useful in describing the validity to check if the findings of the experiment demonstrate
a difference between expensive and affordable pens. Furthermore, the accuracy of using participants
can be even more beneficial in the variable that it is intended to assess. The years he spent conducting
his research appear more credible and reliable because it is updated material that appears to be
relatively new; this aided me. However, because he isn't a scientist and only does this as a pastime, it
suggests that he may be providing untrustworthy information & He conducted study on the types
(expensive and inexpensive) of fountain pens, which hasn't been done as much to demonstrate any
statistics and any variables indicated that can be tested out. This is an article in which he expresses his
view, which may be incorrect, and it should not be regarded as reliable because scientific knowledge
must pass via Ofcom, which must be strictly regulated. Furthermore, conducting experiments by the
same person decreases the validity and dependability of the information produced. If there are
respected in a way that people tend to have discussions under his article on asking questions for his
knowledge for certain questions. Also, as an author, I'm curious whether he has a scientific
background or evidence to indicate if the information provided is valid and if he is an expert in this,