How do you calculate Rf values GCSE?
Keeping this in view, what are the RF values?
RF value (in chromatography) The distance travelled by a given component divided by the distance travelled by the solvent front. For a given system at a known temperature, it is a characteristic of the component and can be used to identify components.
Beside above, how are RF values useful?
The farther a compound travelled, the larger it's Rf value. You can use this technique to compare all sorts of compounds in a lab. You can also identify or narrow down compounds by spotting a known compound, and looking to see which of your unknown compounds have the same Rf value as your known test spot.
By definition, Rf values are always less than 1. An Rf value of 1 or too close to it means that the spot and the solvent front travel close together and is therefore unreliable. Another run must be made using a less polar solvent to improve the separation.