What are the two phases involved in chromatography?

In chromatography, the two phases involved are known as the stationary phase and the mobile phase. The stationary phase is the material that remains fixed in place during the separation process, often a solid or a viscous liquid that coats a solid. The mobile phase, on the other hand, is the solvent or gas that carries the samples through the stationary phase.

This combination allows for the separation of different compounds in a mixture based on their differing affinities for the stationary and mobile phases. For example, some substances will adhere more strongly to the stationary phase and will move more slowly, while others will travel more quickly with the mobile phase. This differential movement is what enables the components of the mixture to be separated and identified.

The other options, although related to states of matter, do not accurately capture the functioning principles of chromatography as defined by the processes of separation. The terms stationary phase and mobile phase are specifically used in chromatography to describe how the method works, rather than simply categorizing the phases by their physical states.