MCQEasyJEE 2023Chromatography

JEE Chemistry 2023 Question with Solution

From the figure of column chromatography given below, identify incorrect statements.

Column chromatography setup showing a vertical column with three separated bands labeled a at top, b in middle, and c at bottom.
  • A

    Compound ‘c’ is more polar than ‘a’ and ‘b’

  • B

    Compound ‘a’ is least polar

  • C

    Compound ‘b’ comes out of the column before ‘c’ and after ‘a’

  • D

    Compound ‘a’ spends more time in the column

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: A column chromatography figure with bands labeled aa, bb, and cc.

Find: The incorrect statements.

In column chromatography, the compound that is more strongly adsorbed on the stationary phase spends more time in the column and therefore comes out later.

From the provided solution content:

  • Order of polarity: a>b>ca > b > c
  • Order of elution: c>b>ac > b > a
  • Time spent in the column: a>b>ca > b > c

Now check each statement:

  1. A) Compound cc is more polar than aa and bb — this is incorrect.
  2. B) Compound aa is least polar — this is incorrect.
  3. C) Compound bb comes out of the column before cc and after aa — this is incorrect.
  4. D) Compound aa spends more time in the column — this is correct.

Therefore, the incorrect statements are A, B and C only. Hence, the correct option is B.

Elution Order Interpretation

Given: The chromatographic bands are labeled aa, bb, and cc.

Find: Which statements are incorrect.

Key idea: In adsorption chromatography, greater adsorption means greater retention time. Hence the compound retained longest leaves the column last.

From the extracted solution:

Polarity order: a>b>c\text{Polarity order: } a > b > c Elution order: c>b>a\text{Elution order: } c > b > a Time in column: a>b>c\text{Time in column: } a > b > c

So, cc comes out first, bb next, and aa last. Therefore:

  • Statement A is false.
  • Statement B is false.
  • Statement C is false.
  • Statement D is true.

Thus the set of incorrect statements is A, B and C only, so the correct option is B.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the band lower in the column is always more strongly retained is incorrect. The lower band is closer to eluting out, so it has generally moved faster. Instead, infer retention from the elution order given by the band positions.

  • Confusing polarity with elution order is incorrect. In adsorption chromatography, the compound retained more strongly spends more time in the column and elutes later. Instead, first determine which compound remains longest in the column.

  • Reading statement C in reverse order is a common conceptual error. If cc elutes first and aa last, then bb must come after cc and before aa, not before cc and after aa.

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