Writer agency and decision-making in creative processes

Chromatography Lab Report

A single dot of black ink was placed ae" from the bottom of a coffee filter strip, from one of five pens, and it was reserved as the control sample. The letter "G" was marked at the top of this strip in pencil to represent "the guilty" party.

Five coffee filters strips were numbered 1-5 and a single black dot was then put on each of strips in approximately the same position as the reserved strip.

Each dot was made with one of the five black pens. Each pen used was made by a different manufacturer. No indelible or permanent markers or pens were used.

A glass jar with 2" of alcohol was prepared

Each strip, in turn, was taped to a pencil at one end, and placed over the jar of alcohol so that the end of the strip touched the alcohol and had 3" of dry strip above the alcohol line.

The ink on each strip began to separate.

A timer was set for 15 minutes, so that each ink dot was allowed to run for the same amount of time

After which the strips were placed on a paper towel to dry.

After all the strips were dry, a comparison was made between each of the five strips and the "guilty" strip.

Observations:

The alcohol absorbed into the strips and the ink began to travel up the strip, dissolving the black ink.

The black ink separated and a variety of ink colors patterns appeared.

Strip G. And each "suspect" strip, #1-5, were observed under a magnifying glass and notes were taken as follows:

Strip G: ink traveled approx. 1/2 " from black dot; bluish purple fading into bluish green stripes appeared; colors remained deep in tone; leading edge was jagged

Strip #1: ink traveled approx. ae" from dot; yellow pink, dark blue, aquamarine stripes appeared; colors very faded; leading edge jagged

Strip #2: ink traveled nearly ae" from dot; grey/blue, purple/blue, blue stripes appeared, colors very light and faded; leading edge in one wave-pattern

Strip #3: ink traveled approx. 1/4" from dot; black, dark grey, dark purple stripes, little separation, color deep in tone; leading edge had one wave pattern

Strip #4: ink traveled slightly over 1/2 " from dot; bluish purple fading into blue/green stripes; deep tones; leading edge jagged

Strip #5: ink traveled approx. 3/8" from dot; red, blue, green, yellow; blue and green were the widest stripes; colors retained a medium tone; leading edge wavy

More intense colors generally remained near the ink source (the black dot), and more faded colors generally appeared furthest from the source.

The distance that the ink traveled from the ink source ranged from 1/4" -- ae."

The variety of colors that developed from the black dot was numerous.

The color patterns were easily distinguishable from one another. Each color pattern was unique.

Conclusion:

Strip #4 was identified as having an ink dot that was substantially similar to the control, or guilty, ink dot. Ink on both strips traveled approx. 1/2," and showed the same color disbursement and ink pattern.