Which type of chromatography utilizes a stationary phase and a mobile phase for separation?

In chromatography, the fundamental principle involves the interaction between a stationary phase, which remains fixed in place, and a mobile phase that moves through or alongside it. This setup allows for the separation of components in a mixture based on their different affinities towards the stationary and mobile phases.

Gas chromatography involves a mobile phase that is a gas, typically an inert carrier gas, and a stationary phase that is often a liquid or a solid coated onto a support. As the gas moves through the column, components in the sample have different interactions with the stationary phase, leading to their separation.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) employs a stationary phase that is a solid (like silica gel) coated on a flat plate, while the mobile phase is a solvent that moves up the plate due to capillary action. As components travel at different rates, they separate based on their affinities to the stationary phase versus the solvent.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) uses a liquid mobile phase and a solid stationary phase within a column. The sample is pushed through the column under high pressure, which facilitates the separation of compounds based on their interactions with the stationary and mobile phases.

Since all three types of chromatography—gas, thin-layer, and high-performance liquid—utilize the