FBISE · Class 9

Class 9 Chemistry MCQs: Chromatography

Practice chapter-wise MCQs with answers and explanations. Use the quiz mode for timed online tests.

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Quick revision

Class 9 Chemistry MCQs Chromatography are one of the fastest ways to improve your board exam performance — especially when you practice with purpose, revise weak concepts, and learn from explanations.

On Prepzy, you can practice 20 MCQs from “Chromatography” in Chemistry for FBISE. Each question is designed to mirror the style, wording, and concept-testing approach used in Pakistani board papers.

Use this chapter page to revise definitions, formulas, and key ideas, then attempt the MCQs in small sets. Track patterns in your mistakes: is it a concept gap, a calculation error, or a misread statement? Fixing the pattern is what raises your score.

If you’re preparing for matric / SSC Part exams, focus on understanding the concept first, then speed. MCQs reward clarity — not memorization. A clear concept turns into fast correct answers.

What to focus on

  • Primary focus: Chromatography concepts tested in Class 9 Chemistry
  • Practice with instant answer-checking to reduce repeated mistakes
  • Revise common definitions, units, and standard results before timed practice
  • Aim for accuracy first, then build speed with short quizzes

Study tips

  • Read the question stem first, then scan options for distractors (near-correct choices).
  • If the chapter is formula-heavy, write a mini-formula sheet and revise it before every attempt.
  • After each practice set, re-attempt only the wrong MCQs to convert weak areas into strengths.
  • Mix easy + medium MCQs for momentum, then finish with hard questions for exam readiness.

MCQs (sample)

Showing 20 questions from this chapter. For a full timed test, use “Start online test”.

  1. 1. What is the stationary phase in paper chromatography?

    • Water absorbed on filter paper
    • Ethanol
    • A mixture of inks
    • Glass hook
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Water absorbed on filter paper

    The stationary phase is defined as the water absorbed on filter paper in paper chromatography.

  2. 2. What does the word 'chromatography' originate from?

    • Chroma means colour, graphein means writing
    • Chroma means separation, graphein means analysis
    • Chroma means reaction, graphein means experiment
    • Chroma means test, graphein means measurement
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Chroma means colour, graphein means writing

    The term chromatography comes from the Greek words 'chroma' meaning colour and 'graphein' meaning writing.

  3. 3. What is used as the mobile phase in paper chromatography?

    • Water
    • A solvent or a mixture of solvents
    • Filter paper
    • Ink mixture
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: A solvent or a mixture of solvents

    The mobile phase can be a solvent or a mixture of solvents in paper chromatography.

  4. 4. What is the primary function of chromatography in analytical chemistry?

    • To analyze and separate compounds
    • To create compounds
    • To identify chemical formulas
    • To increase the concentration of compounds
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: To analyze and separate compounds

    Chromatography is a strong analytical tool used to analyze and separate compounds.

  5. 5. What is the first step in the paper chromatography procedure?

    • Mark a line on the filter paper
    • Pour a water and ethanol solvent mixture
    • Apply the ink mixture
    • Calculate Rf values
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Pour a water and ethanol solvent mixture

    The first step is to pour 25 cm³ of water and ethanol solvent mixture into a measuring cylinder.

  6. 6. What is the stationary phase in chromatography?

    • A solid or liquid coated on a solid phase
    • A gas that moves through the system
    • A liquid that carries the mixture
    • A chemical used for analysis
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: A solid or liquid coated on a solid phase

    The stationary phase can be a solid phase or a liquid phase coated on a solid phase.

  7. 7. What is the purpose of the locating agent in chromatography?

    • To promote faster solvent movement
    • To mix inks thoroughly
    • To locate colorless components
    • To create the stationary phase
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: To locate colorless components

    A locating agent is used to locate components that are not visible due to being colorless.

  8. 8. In paper chromatography, what molecules are adsorbed on the paper material?

    • Water molecules
    • Gas molecules
    • Solvent molecules
    • Non-polar molecules
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Water molecules

    In paper chromatography, water molecules are adsorbed on the paper material cellulose.

  9. 9. How is the Rf value calculated?

    • Distance traveled by solvent / Distance traveled by solute
    • Distance traveled by solute / Distance traveled by solvent
    • Total distance traveled / Length of paper
    • Length of paper / Distance traveled by solute
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Distance traveled by solute / Distance traveled by solvent

    The Rf value is calculated as the distance traveled by the solute divided by the distance traveled by the solvent.

  10. 10. What does the mobile phase in chromatography refer to?

    • A stationary solid
    • A liquid or gas moving through the stationary phase
    • A compound being tested
    • A chemical reaction area
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: A liquid or gas moving through the stationary phase

    The mobile phase is defined as a liquid or gas that moves through or over the stationary phase.

  11. 11. What does a greater Rf value indicate about a component?

    • It has greater affinity with the stationary phase
    • It has greater affinity with the mobile phase
    • It is a pure substance
    • It did not travel far
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: It has greater affinity with the mobile phase

    A greater Rf value indicates that the component has more affinity towards the mobile phase than to the stationary phase.

  12. 12. How do components of a mixture behave during chromatography?

    • They migrate at the same rate.
    • They interact differently with the stationary and mobile phases.
    • They do not separate at all.
    • They combine to form new compounds.
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: They interact differently with the stationary and mobile phases.

    Each component interacts differently with the two phases, leading to different migration rates and separation.

  13. 13. What happens to a pure substance on a chromatogram?

    • It produces multiple spots
    • It produces one spot
    • It disappears completely
    • It changes color
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: It produces one spot

    A pure substance produces only one spot on the paper chromatogram.

  14. 14. What principle does chromatography operate on?

    • Separation of solids
    • Partitioning
    • Diffusion
    • Extraction
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Partitioning

    Chromatography works on the principle of partitioning.

  15. 15. What type of solution is ninhydrin when used in chromatography?

    • A mixture of solvents
    • A locating agent
    • A stationary phase
    • A mobile phase
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: A locating agent

    Ninhydrin is a locating agent used to locate colorless components like amino acids in chromatography.

  16. 16. Which technique can chromatography be coupled with to enhance analysis?

    • Spectrophotometry
    • Mass spectrometry
    • Nuclear magnetic resonance
    • Electrophoresis
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Mass spectrometry

    Chromatography can be coupled with mass spectrometry.

  17. 17. If the solvent front traveled 10 cm and a red component traveled 2 cm, what is the Rf value for the red component?

    • 0.2
    • 0.6
    • 0.8
    • 1.0
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: 0.2

    The Rf value is calculated as 2 cm (red component) / 10 cm (solvent front) = 0.2.

  18. 18. What is the result of the different migration rates in chromatography?

    • Formation of new substances
    • Separation of components
    • Increased concentration
    • No significant change
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: Separation of components

    Different migration rates result in the separation of the components based on their affinities.

  19. 19. What can multiple spots on a chromatogram indicate about a substance?

    • It is pure
    • It is an impure substance
    • It has high solvent affinity
    • It is a locating agent
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: It is an impure substance

    Multiple spots on a chromatogram indicate that the substance is impure with various compounds present.

  20. 20. Which of the following best describes the behavior of the mixture in chromatography?

    • It remains static during the process.
    • It moves uniformly without separation.
    • It separates based on affinity for the phases.
    • It can only be analyzed but not separated.
    Answer & explanation

    Correct: It separates based on affinity for the phases.

    The mixture separates based on the components' affinities for the stationary and mobile phases.

FAQs

Are these Class 9 Chemistry MCQs Chromatography aligned with FBISE?

Yes. The MCQs are organized chapter-wise for FBISE and designed to match board exam patterns. If your teacher has added custom MCQs, they will also appear here.

How many MCQs should I practice from “Chromatography” each day?

A good daily target is 20–40 MCQs with full review of mistakes. If you’re short on time, do 15 MCQs but read explanations carefully.

What’s the best way to revise this chapter before an exam?

Revise the chapter summary, list your weak sub-topics, then practice MCQs in timed sets. Re-attempt wrong questions after a short break to lock in learning.

Can I take an online test for this chapter?

Yes. Start a chapter quiz to simulate an online test. Use it to improve speed and accuracy under time pressure.

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