Why does thin layer chromatography use a very thin adsorbent coating?

Points on why thin layer chromatography uses thin adsorbent coating:

• Thin layer chromatography separates mixture components on a very thin adsorbent coating that provides a short separation path on a flat plate when exposed to a solvent.
• The adsorbent layer is applied as a shallow coating so separation occurs close to the surface rather than through a thick medium.
• This thin layer ensures that component movement and separation remain confined to the plate surface during solvent action.

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