---
title: "A student investigates the components of a dye mixture containing \\(\\text{Dye X}\\), \\(\\text{Dye Y}\\), and \\(\\text{Dye Z}\\) using paper chromatography. The stationary phase consists of polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar organic solvent. The developed chromatogram is shown in the diagram.\\n\\nBased on the chromatogram, which of the following correctly ranks the dyes from most polar to least polar, and provides the correct justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121490/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T05:04:49+00:00"
---

# A student investigates the components of a dye mixture containing \(\text{Dye X}\), \(\text{Dye Y}\), and \(\text{Dye Z}\) using paper chromatography. The stationary phase consists of polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar organic solvent. The developed chromatogram is shown in the diagram.\n\nBased on the chromatogram, which of the following correctly ranks the dyes from most polar to least polar, and provides the correct justification?

A student investigates the components of a dye mixture containing \(\text{Dye X}\), \(\text{Dye Y}\), and \(\text{Dye Z}\) using paper chromatography. The stationary phase consists of polar cellulose paper, and the mobile phase is a nonpolar organic solvent. The developed chromatogram is shown in the diagram.\n\nBased on the chromatogram, which of the following correctly ranks the dyes from most polar to least polar, and provides the correct justification?

![A vertical grayscale drawing shows a rectangular chromatography paper strip. Near the bottom, a dashed horizontal line across the strip is labeled Origin with a tick mark at 0.0 cm. Near the top, a dashed horizontal line is labeled Solvent Front with a tick mark at 10.0 cm. Three solid black circular spots appear centered along a single vertical lane above the origin: Dye X is positioned at 2.0 cm above the origin, Dye Y is positioned at 5.0 cm above the origin, and Dye Z is positioned at 8.0 cm above the origin. A vertical scale on the left side displays markings from 0.0 cm to 10.0 cm. No other lines, labels, text, or annotations appear.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1787461489-t0ZoRI.jpg)

- **A.** \(\text{Dye X} > \text{Dye Y} > \text{Dye Z}\), because \(\text{Dye X}\) has the strongest intermolecular attractions with the polar stationary phase and the weakest attractions with the nonpolar mobile phase.
- **B.** \(\text{Dye X} > \text{Dye Y} > \text{Dye Z}\), because \(\text{Dye X}\) has the lowest vapor pressure and therefore evaporates from the mobile phase at the slowest rate.
- **C.** \(\text{Dye Z} > \text{Dye Y} > \text{Dye X}\), because \(\text{Dye Z}\) traveled the greatest distance and therefore established the strongest intermolecular attractions with the mobile phase.
- **D.** \(\text{Dye Z} > \text{Dye Y} > \text{Dye X}\), because \(\text{Dye Z}\) has the smallest molar mass and therefore diffuses most rapidly through the pores of the paper.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/121490/*