Question

explain how paper chromatography separates the components in a solution

Answer 1

This is more than a simple explanation but it explains the different kinds of paper chromatography. In general, the solid phase (in this case the paper) and the mobile phase (can be water or some other solvent) have different affinities for various compounds. So a mixture of materials is placed in the paper, dried, and subjected to the solvent. As the solvent moves up the paper by capillary action, the components having greater affinity for the paper are held back while those having greater affinity for the solvent move. The result is a separation of the components of the mixture. Here is the site that described it is much more detail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_chromatography