Question

Give reasons for the following statements

A mixture of water and alcohol can be separated by fractional distillation

Answer 1

Understanding the concept:

• Fractional distillation is used to separate the mixtures which are miscible in nature. Example Alcohol and Water.

Explanation of separation of miscible liquid, water, and alcohol:

• Fractional distillation can be used to separate the mixture of ethanol (alcohol) and water.
• The fact that the chemicals in the mixture have various boiling points is used in this procedure.
• The boiling point of alcohol is less than that of water.
• The boiling point of water is 100ºC and the boiling point of alcohol is 78.7ºC.
• The mixture of alcohol and water is heated and the alcohol is first evaporated due to its low boiling point. Then the vapor is allowed to condense and cooled.
• Thus, both can be separated.