What is the main purpose of chromatography in chemistry?

Chromatography is primarily utilized in chemistry to separate mixtures into their individual components. The technique relies on the interactions between the substances in the mixture and a stationary phase, which is often a solid or a viscous liquid that remains fixed in place, and a mobile phase, which is a liquid or gas that carries the components of the mixture. As the mobile phase moves through or over the stationary phase, different components of the mixture will interact with the stationary phase to varying degrees, causing them to move at different rates. This differential migration allows for the components to be separated and subsequently analyzed.

The focus of chromatography is on the separation process, which is fundamental for various analytical applications, including purifying compounds, analyzing complex mixtures, and identifying substances based on their unique separation characteristics. Other techniques mentioned, such as determining molecular weight or measuring pH, do not relate to the primary function of chromatography, which centers on separating compounds rather than analyzing or quantifying them directly.