A phase is a homogeneous system made up of one or more compounds. It can be solid, liquid or gas. Two miscible liquids constitute only one phase while liquid water and solid ice are two distinct phases of the same pure substance.
Chromatography phase
In chromatography the separation of the components of a mixture is possible due to the properties of the mobile phase and the stationary phase of the system.
The mobile phase is the solvent or gas that passes through the system The components of a mixture that have the greatest affinity with the mobile phase are the first to be eluted.
The stationary phase of a chromatographic system is the adsorbing material which constitutes the column or solid deposited on a plate and through which the mobile phase passes.
