Which chromatography form uses a stationary phase in a column?

• A. Planar chromatography
• B. Paper chromatography
• C. Column chromatography
• D. Gas chromatography

Answer: (C)

In chromatography, how the stationary phase is arranged defines the form. When the stationary phase is packed inside a column and the mobile phase flows through it, the setup is column chromatography. This column provides a confined path so the sample components separate based on how strongly they interact with the stationary phase as they move through the packed bed.

Planar chromatography uses a flat surface as the stationary phase, so there’s no column involved. Paper chromatography moves a solvent up a piece of paper, with the paper itself acting as the stationary medium and no column in the path. Gas chromatography uses a column as well, but the mobile phase is a gas; the defining description that matches the wording here is the column-packed, liquid/solid stationary phase setup of column chromatography.