Why do leaf pigments fade on paper?

[cobra14]

Hi, I am a high school student taking biology. We did a chromatography experiment in class using leaf pigments and used ether as the solvent. I was wondering why after only a few days some of the papers have faded a lot (they were kept in the classroom). I kept some in my binder and they have not faded. Do any of you, knowing much better than me, know why?

[chromatographer1]

Let me ask a couple of questions of you:

Was it dark inside your binder? in the classroom?

Was it drafty inside your binder? in the classroom?

I lied. I need to ask another question:

Do these two questions give you any ideas?

best wishes,

Rod

[cobra14]

Yes they do but my teacher said that temperature was a big part of the answer. Any help there?

[Mary Carson]

Have you ever been to an art museum? Have you noticed that the paintings are usually kept well away from the windows? There's a reason for that.

[HW Mueller]

And another question: Was your binder kept at a different temperature than the class room?