Question

How is the mixture of miscible liquids separated?

Answer 1

Step 1 Understanding the concept of Miscible liquids:

• Miscible liquids are liquids that mix together in all amounts and form a single layer.
• Alcohol and water, for example, are miscible liquids because they mix in all amounts and produce a single layer when mixed.
• Fractional distillation is used to separate a mixture of miscible liquids.

Step 2 Explanation:

• Fractional distillation is the process of distilling two (or more) miscible liquids and collecting the distillate in fractions boiling at various temperatures.
• Fractional distillation is a method for separating two miscible liquids from each other.
• The difference in boiling points between two liquids determines how fractional distillation separates them. Using a fractionating column, fractional distillation is carried out.
• Ex. Liquids that are miscible with one another include alcohol and water.
• Alcohol boils at 78 degrees Celsius, while the water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Fractional distillation is used to separate a combination of alcohol and water since alcohol and water possess different boiling temperatures.
  The alcohol and water mixture is then heated in a distillation flask.
  As their boiling temperature approach, both alcohol and water produce vapour.
  Alcohol and water vapour rise to the top of the fractionating column. As the hot vapours of the alcohol because of the low boiling point than water rise up the fractionating column, the alcohol cools, condenses and trickles back into the distillation flask because the upper half of the column is cooler.