Chromatography

Explore the beautiful colors of fall leaves with chromatography.

Supplies

• Various colored leaves, a handful of each color
• Clear glass jars - 1 for each leaf color
• Rubbing alcohol
• Coffee filters
• Pencils - 1 for each leaf color

Instructions

1. Sort leaves by color.
2. Crush up enough leaves of each color to cover the bottom of the jar.
3. Cover the crushed leaves in rubbing alcohol.
4. Place jars in cake pan and fill pan with hot water.
5. Wait at least 45 minutes, or until color has left leaves and gone into liquid.
6. Cut two inch strips of a coffee filter, measure so one end of the strip touches liquid. Roll up the other end on a pencil and let rest on top of the jar.
7. Wait over night!
8. Reveal colors absorbed into coffee filter strip.