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WHAT WILL YOU DO?:
In this activity you will create your
own colorful T-shirt design
while learning about chromatography.
You will separate the ink from permanent colored markers
to make a rainbow of colors on your T-shirt!
Chromatography is a technique used to separate mixtures.
Many different science fields
use chromatography.
The technique is used
in environmental studies to detect pollution
in water and air.
Chromatography also is used by crime
laboratories to identify clues such as blood,
ink, or other substances found at a crime
scene.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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Before you make a chromatogram on your T-shirt,
practice with a coffee filter or paper towel.
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Rubber band the coffee filter or paper towel over the coffee can.
Draw a
circle of colored dots on the coffee filter or paper towel.
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MATERIALS:
Coffee Can*
Pre-Washed T-Shirt*
Permanent Markers
Rubbing Alcohol
Coffee Filter Or Paper Towels
Eye Droppers
Elastic Band
(Note: *Have each student bring a coffee can and a T-shirt.)
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Using the eye dropper place a few drops of alcohol
into the middle of the circle.
As the alcohol spreads watch the
pattern the ink makes!
The more alcohol you use, the farther the ink spreads;
using less alcohol prevents the ink from spreading very far.
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Try any design you like, although the circle works best. (A
dotted circle forms a flower pattern of chromatograms.)
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Repeat Steps 3-5 using your T-shirt instead of a coffee filter or paper towel.
Be sure that only one layer of the T-shirt (the back or front
of the T-shirt) is laid over the coffe
can at one time. Let your T-shirt dry.
Have a good time!
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