How does the stationary phase slow components in gas chromatography?

In gas chromatography, the stationary phase slows down components of a mixture through selective intermolecular forces that attract the solutes.1

Because the mobile phase (the carrier gas) is typically nonselective and exerts essentially no attractive force on the solutes, all interactions responsible for retention occur within the stationary phase. As the sample is transported through the column, its components distribute themselves between the mobile and stationary phases based on their relative affinity for the latter.1234

Components that have a stronger attraction to the stationary phase are retarded or "held back" to a greater extent, causing them to migrate more slowly through the column. Conversely, components with weaker attractions are flushed through more rapidly. These interactions are governed by principles such as polarity—often summarized by the rule that "like dissolves like"—and include forces such as dispersion forces, hydrogen bonding, and acid-base interactions.1432