Chemistry · May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Question 3

The diagram represents a chromatogram of the colourless acids present in a drink. The chromatogram has been treated with a locating agent. A table of $R_f$ values for the possible acids is given. [chromatogram diagram with spots labelled 1, 2, 3, origin and solvent front; table: acid / $R_f$ value: tartaric 0.14, citric 0.16, malic 0.23, lactic 0.45, succinic 0.50] Which acids are present in the drink?

1. Acitric acid, malic acid and lactic acid
2. Bcitric acid, malic acid and succinic acid
3. Cmalic acid, lactic acid and succinic acid
4. Dtartaric acid, citric acid and malic acid

As printed in the paper