Distillation

Question 1

What is distillation used for?

Answer 1

Separate mixtures that contain liquid

Question 2

Describe the method for simple distillation

Answer 2

1.) Pour sample of seawater into flask and connect the end of the condenser to a cold tap using rubber tubing and run cold water through it
2.) Gradually heat the flask, and the part of the solution with the lowest boiling point will evaporate.
3.) The vapour passes through the condenser, where it cools and condenses and flows into a beaker to be collected

Question 3

What is the problem with simple distillation?

Answer 3

You can only separate things with very different boiling points

Question 4

Fractional distillation is used for a mixture of liquids. Describe the method

Answer 4

1.) Put your mixture in a flask and attach a fractionating column and condenser above the flask
2. ) Gradually heat the flask, and the liquid with the lowest boiling point will evaporate first, and when the temp on the thermometer matches the boiling point, it will reach the top of the column
3.) Liquids with higher boiling points will also start to evaporate, but the column is cooler at the top until they will only get so far before condensing back into a liquid and run back to the flask
4 ) When the first liquid has been collected, raise the temperature until the next one reaches the top

Question 5

What is simple distillation used for?

Answer 5

Separating a liquid from a solution