Question

Discuss the techniques of distillation.

Answer 1

Distillation: Distillation is the method of getting a pure liquid from a solution by evaporating and then condensing the vapors$.$

Distillation technique:

1. Distillation is a separation technique that takes advantage of the boiling point properties of the mixture$.$
2. To perform distillation, a miscible mixture of two liquids with a significant difference in boiling points at least $20°\mathrm{C}$is heated$.$
3. As the solution heats up and reaches the bubble point of the more volatile component, some molecules of the more volatile component transition into the gas phase and travel upward into the condenser$.$
4. The condenser is a glass tube with separate inner and outer sections$.$
5. The vapor travels into the inner section of the condenser, where it is condensed to a liquid by the cold water flowing in the outer section of the condenser$.$
6. This condensed vapor is called the distillate, and it is collected in a graduated cylinder or test tube$.$

For example, it is used to separate acetone and water. The boiling point of acetone is $56°\mathrm{C}$, while that of water is $100°\mathrm{C}.$

So, when we heat the mixture of acetone and water above $56°\mathrm{C}$ and below $100°\mathrm{C}.$, acetone gets evaporated and water remains. In this way, the mixture of acetone and water gets separated.