3.7 Analysing Substances

Question 1

Why do foods have to be checked before sales?

Answer 1

To ensure only safe, permitted additives have been used

Question 2

How are foods checked before sale?

Answer 2

Chemical analysis methods like paper chromatography or mass spectrometry

Question 3

How does paper chromatography work?

Answer 3

1. A spot of paper is put into the paper
2. A solvent is allowed to move through the paper
3. The colours move different distances depending on their solubility, more soluble substances will travel further along the paper
4. This can help you identify what each substance is depending on the distance it travelled as the same substance will always travel the same distance

Question 4

What are food additives?

Answer 4

Substances that are added to fold to improve its quality, may be natural or synthetic chemicals