CC2D Distillation

Question 1

When is simple distillation used

Answer 1

Used to separate a pure liquid from a mixture of liquids. Only works when the liquids have different boiling points

Question 2

How can ethanol be separated from water

Answer 2

Ethanol has a lower boiling point than water so can be separated from water by simple distillation
Distillation apparatus set up
Mixture boiled
Ethanol evaporates first
Ethanol vapour cools in the condenser, condensing back to liquid before being collected

Question 3

When is fractional distillation used to separate mixtures

Answer 3

Fractional distillation is used to separate all the elements/compounds in a mixture. These chemicals must have different boiling points to be separated

Question 4

What is the difference between fractional and simple distillation

Answer 4

Simple distillation is only able to separate the liquid with the lowest boiling point from the mixture

Fractional distillation separates all the chemicals in a mixture, using their different boiling points

Question 5

How does fractional distillation work

Answer 5

Oil is heated until it evaporates into the fractionating column
Vapours rise up the fractionating column and condense at the different fractions, depending on the relative boiling point of each susbstance