Chromatography is a technique used to separate and identify the components of a mixture. It works by allowing the molecules in a mixture to distribute themselves between a stationary and mobile phase. Molecules that spend more time in the mobile phase move faster. Gas chromatography uses an inert gas as the mobile phase flowing through a column with a liquid stationary phase coated on solid supports. Components are detected as they exit the column and recorded on a chromatogram showing retention times and peak areas. Thin layer chromatography uses a liquid mobile phase moving up a plate coated with an adsorbent, separating components by their differing attractions to the stationary phase.