In the lab you are presented with a yellowish unknown liquid
In the lab, you are presented with a yellowish, unknown liquid. You want to determine whether or not it is 1) polar, 2) a lipid, 3) saturated or unsaturated, and 4) mixed or unmixed. What is the most logical order in which to complete the following steps, what results do you expect from each step and what conclusions can you draw from each step?
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
perform the paper test
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance does not mix with water
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance is a liquid
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
observe if the substance is a liquid or solid
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
mix with water
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance leaves three spots on the TLC strip
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance is likely an unsaturated lipid
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
perform thin layer chromatography
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance leaves a transparent spot
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance it is likely a lipid
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance is non-polar and may be a lipid
- 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
the substance is likely a mixed lipid
Solution
Lipid under room temperature if, solid then it is an unsaturated fat, otherwise, it is saturated. Unsaturated fat leaves transparent spot. Thin Layer chromatography, TLC, reveals about the constituents of lipid. If they mixed, lipid leaves three spots. The polar molecules dissolve in polar solvent like water.

