How could thin layer chromatography be used to aid in the identification of a compound?

 Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a technique used to separate and identify components of a mixture. It is commonly used in organic chemistry to identify unknown compounds. In TLC, a stationary phase (such as a glass or plastic plate) is coated with a thin layer of adsorbent material. When the mixture is applied to the plate, the different components of the mixture separate based on their relative affinities for the stationary phase. By comparing the positions of the components on the plate to standards, it is possible to identify the components in the mixture.