Question

Arrange the following steps in a proper sequence for the separation of a mixture of water and alcohol.

(A) The mixture is heated.

(B) The condensed liquid is collected in the receiver flask.

(C) The mixture is taken in the distillation flask.

(D) The component with a lower boiling point vaporizes first.

• A. ACDB
• B. CADB
• C. CABD
• D. ACBD

Answer 1

The correct option is B

CADB

The explanation for the correct option: (B)

1. A method for isolating a liquid from a combination of two or more liquids is fractional distillation.
2. Fractional distillation is based on the differences in the boiling point of the components of the mixture.
3. Hence, as ethanol has a lower boiling point than water, it can be separated from a mixture of ethanol and water.
4. One liquid evaporates before another when a mixture is heated.
5. An electric heater is used to heat a mixture of water and ethanol in a flask.
6. The process will be as follows: Firstly, The mixture is taken in the distillation flask (C), then the mixture is heated (A), and the component with a lower boiling point vaporizes first (B). At last, the condensed liquid is collected in the receiver flask (D).

Conclusion: Hence, option (B) is correct.