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Crime Lab: Ink Chromatography

Separate the colors in black pens with paper chromatography to find which pen wrote a mystery note.

Grade 7ExperimentScience OlympiadScienceChemistryData AnalysisLogicIntermediate40 to 60 min6 materialsAdult supervision required

What you'll learn

  • Explain how chromatography separates mixtures
  • Compare patterns as evidence
  • Write a conclusion that cites evidence and its limits

Objective

Use paper chromatography to compare ink samples and decide which pen wrote a mystery mark.

STEM concepts

MixturesChromatographySolubilityForensic evidence
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Materials and safety
Step-by-step instructions
Prediction, test sheet and results
Why does it work, challenge and project report

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