In chromatography, which phase does the solution travel through?

In chromatography, the solution travels through the mobile phase. This phase is essential for moving the substances being separated. As the mixture dissolves in the mobile phase, it carries the different components with it across the stationary phase, allowing for separation based on varying interactions with the two phases.

The mobile phase can be a liquid or a gas, depending on the type of chromatography being utilized, and it plays a crucial role in determining how far and how quickly each component moves. This movement is influenced by properties such as solubility and adsorption, leading to clear separation of substances.

The stationary phase, on the other hand, remains fixed in place and interacts with the components of the mixture differently, contributing to their separation. The solid phase and the dissolved phase terms do not accurately describe the phases in chromatography; while they may refer to other concepts in different contexts, they are not standard terms for the phases in chromatographic techniques.