Question

Fractional distillation is a __________ process.

• A. physical
• B. chemical
• C. Both physical and chemical
• D. Neither physical nor chemical

Answer 1

The correct option is A

physical

Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture into its components or fractions. In this process, the miscible liquids are separated by the use of a fractionating column. When the mixture is heated, the liquid with lower boiling point vapourises first, passes through the fractionating column, followed by a condenser and finally collected by as a distillate. Generally, fractional distillation is used to separate miscible liquids that have boiling points differ by less than ${25}^{0}C$ from each other under a pressure of one atmosphere. If the difference in the boiling points is greater than ${25}^{0}C$, simple distillation is used.