======Leaf Chromatography======


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**Alternative titles:** Separating Plant Pigments
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Collect green leaves from several tree species, keeping each type separate.
  -Tear leaves into pieces and place them in a beaker or glass jar.
  -Add enough isopropyl alcohol to cover the leaf pieces, then seal the container with plastic wrap to reduce evaporation.
  -Place the beaker in a dish of hot tap water for about 30 minutes until the alcohol turns green.
  -Cut a strip of filter paper (or coffee filter) and tape it to a pencil. Suspend the pencil across the beaker so the strip just touches the pigment-alcohol mixture.
  -Allow the liquid to travel up the paper for 30–90 minutes. Observe the separation of colors as different pigments move at different rates.
  -Compare pigment variety among different tree species.



====Links==== 
Leaf Chromatography Activity - Students - Nature School: 
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Leaf Chromatography - Kids Fun Science: 
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📄 Leaf Chromatography Experiment - Home Science Tools: [[https://learning-center.homesciencetools.com/article/leaf-chromatography-science-project/]]\\

====Variations====
  *Try leaves collected at different times of the year (spring vs. autumn).  
  *Test whether boiling water baths or longer soaking times release pigments more effectively.  
  *Compare pigment separation using different solvents (e.g., acetone, ethanol).



====Safety Precautions====
  *Adult supervision recommended.  
  *Handle rubbing alcohol with care; keep away from flames and avoid ingestion.  
  *Work in a well-ventilated space.  
  *Wash hands after handling leaves and chemicals.




====Questions to Consider====
  *Why do leaves appear mostly green in the summer? (Chlorophyll masks other pigments during photosynthesis.)  
  *What pigments become visible when chlorophyll breaks down in the fall? (Carotenoids—yellow/orange; anthocyanins—red.)  
  *Why do pigments travel at different speeds on chromatography paper? (Differences in solubility and interaction with the paper.)  
  *Which tree leaves showed the most pigment variety, and what might that predict about their fall color? (Leaves with more pigment diversity will likely show brighter fall colors.)