Starting line

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011320",
  "term": "Starting line",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The initial position on a planar chromatography medium, such as a thin-layer chromatography plate or paper chromatogram, where the sample is applied. This line serves as the origin from which the solvent front and separated components migrate. The distance from this line to the solvent front is used in calculating retention factors.",
  "synonyms": [
    "starting point"
  ],
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 77 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/starting-line/"
}