---
title: "A student performs paper chromatography to separate the components of a mixture containing three different dyes: Dye 1, Dye 2, and Dye 3. The stationary phase consists of highly polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar solvent, hexane (\\(\\text{C}_6\\text{H}_{14}\\)). The solvent front travels a total distance of \\(10.0\\text{ cm}\\). The student records the distance traveled by each dye spot and calculates the retention factor (\\(R_f\\)) for each component, as shown in the table below.  | Component | Distance traveled (\\(\\text{cm}\\)) | \\(R_f\\) | | :— | :— | :— | | Dye 1 | \\(2.0\\) | \\(0.20\\) | | Dye 2 | \\(5.5\\) | \\(0.55\\) | | Dye 3 | \\(8.5\\) | \\(0.85\\) |  Based on the data in the table, which of the following statements correctly compares the relative polarities and intermolecular interactions of the dyes?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121379/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T05:01:58+00:00"
---

# A student performs paper chromatography to separate the components of a mixture containing three different dyes: Dye 1, Dye 2, and Dye 3. The stationary phase consists of highly polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar solvent, hexane (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}\)). The solvent front travels a total distance of \(10.0\text{ cm}\). The student records the distance traveled by each dye spot and calculates the retention factor (\(R_f\)) for each component, as shown in the table below.

| Component | Distance traveled (\(\text{cm}\)) | \(R_f\) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Dye 1 | \(2.0\) | \(0.20\) |
| Dye 2 | \(5.5\) | \(0.55\) |
| Dye 3 | \(8.5\) | \(0.85\) |

Based on the data in the table, which of the following statements correctly compares the relative polarities and intermolecular interactions of the dyes?

A student performs paper chromatography to separate the components of a mixture containing three different dyes: Dye 1, Dye 2, and Dye 3. The stationary phase consists of highly polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar solvent, hexane (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}\)). The solvent front travels a total distance of \(10.0\text{ cm}\). The student records the distance traveled by each dye spot and calculates the retention factor (\(R_f\)) for each component, as shown in the table below.

| Component | Distance traveled (\(\text{cm}\)) | \(R_f\) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Dye 1 | \(2.0\) | \(0.20\) |
| Dye 2 | \(5.5\) | \(0.55\) |
| Dye 3 | \(8.5\) | \(0.85\) |

Based on the data in the table, which of the following statements correctly compares the relative polarities and intermolecular interactions of the dyes?

- **A.** Dye 3 is the most polar because its high \(R_f\) value indicates it has the strongest intermolecular attractions with the polar stationary phase.
- **B.** Dye 3 is the least polar because its high \(R_f\) value indicates it has the strongest intermolecular attractions with the polar stationary phase.
- **C.** Dye 1 is the most polar because its low \(R_f\) value indicates it has the strongest intermolecular attractions with the polar stationary phase.
- **D.** Dye 1 is the least polar because its low \(R_f\) value indicates it has the strongest intermolecular attractions with the nonpolar mobile phase.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121379/*