A gas chromatograph analyzes a sample vaporized through a heated column. Which mechanism explains why heavier molecules have longer retention times?

💡 Explanation

The Boltzmann distribution dictates the probability of molecules occupying different energy states at a given temperature. Because heavier molecules have lower average speeds at the same temperature, according to this distribution, their interactions with the stationary phase in the column are more frequent and prolong their retention, therefore longer retention times occur, rather than other factors affecting movement.

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