Liquid chromatography is a laboratory technique used to separate and analyze components in a mixture. It involves passing a liquid sample through a column filled with a solid material, known as the stationary phase. Different components in the sample interact with the stationary phase at varying degrees, causing them to move through the column at different rates. As the sample travels through the column, it is separated into its individual components, which can then be detected and quantified. This method is widely used in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and pharmaceuticals, to analyze substances such as proteins, drugs, and food additives.