Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture of miscible liquids into its component parts based on the difference in their boiling points. Based on this information, fractional distillation is a __________ process.
Separation of a mixture into its component parts
Fractional distillation is the separation of a mixture into its component parts, or fractions. In this process the chemical compounds are separated due to differences in their boiling points. The components are heated to a temperature at which one or more fractions will vaporize. It uses distillation to fractionate. Generally the component parts have boiling points that differ by less than 25 °C from each other under a pressure of one atmosphere. If the difference in boiling points is greater than 25 °C, simple distillation is used.