POST LABORATORY QUESTIONS

1. What is Gas Chromatography (GC) ?

Gas is a common type of chromatography used in analytical chemistry for separating
and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. Typical uses of
GC include testing the purity of a particular substance, or separating the different
components of a mixture ( the relative amounts of such components can also be
determined). In some situations, GC may help in identifying a compound. In preparative
chromatography, GC can be used to prepare pure compounds from a mixture.

2. Explain the separation column in GC?

Columns/stationary phases are considered the “heart” or “brain” of the chromatograph
and are responsible for the separation process. In the GC system, a sample is vaporized
and injected into the head of the separation column packed with a finely divided solid or
coated with a film of a liquid. When a sample traverses the column by the flow of an
inert gas employed as the mobile phase, its components are separated owing to
differences in their interactions with the stationary phase. Upon elution from the
column, the separated compounds pass over a detector that generates a signal
corresponding to the concentration of the compound. Extensive research has led to
improved columns for achieving better separation and resolution. Since the initial
development of packed columns, many technological advancements have been made.
The capillary column was the first advancement in which stationary phases fabricated by
using the latest technology was employed.

3. Why we need to make sure there is no bubble in syringe during injection of sample into
GC.
To remove an air bubble from the syringe, work the plunger several times, with the
sample. This should force the air bubble out the needle. Due to the narrow bore of the
barrel, it is difficult to remove an air bubble by inverting and tapping the glass. Pull-up
sample liquid to a volume greater then that needed and remove the needle from the
sample vial. Invert the syringe and push out the excess sample, gently cleaning it from
the needle with a dry laboratory wipe. For most injection techniques, you can then
inject the sample rapidly and begin the GC run. Specific syringe operation considerations
will be described for the individual inlets and injection methods. In most cases, a fast
auto-injector is the best syringe handling device. A syringe should be flushed with
approximately 5-10 times its total capacity to eliminate carryover between samples.