Question

Separation of $H_{2}O$ and $D_{2}O$ by fractional distillation is possible because $D_{2}O$ has:

• A. higher density than that of $H_{2}O$
• B. higher boiling point than that of $H_{2}O$
• C. higher freezing point than that of $H_{2}O$
• D. lower dielectric constant than that of $H_{2}O$

Answer 1

The correct option is B higher boiling point than that of $H_{2}O$

If there is a difference in the boiling points of two molecules, then we can separate them by fractional distillation. Since there is a difference in the boiling points of $D_{2}O$ and $H_{2}O$ ($D_{2}O$ has higher boiling point), we can separate them by fractional distillation.