TLC plates could be made of different particle sizes of silica. If one used a smaller particle size of silica in the TLC plate, how would that affect the results of a TLC experiment? Explain your answer. The type of TLC performed in the lab this week is often referred to as normal phase TLC. In a reverse phase TLC, the plate is coated with C18 hydrocarbon solid, and the mobile phase used often consists of methanol and acetic acid or acetone. What would be the result if one used this system for separating the pigments of spinach? Explain your answer.
a. Improved resolution
b. Faster separation
c. Decreased separation
d. No effect on separation