Question

The azeotropic mixture of water and HCl boils at 108.5${}^o$C. When this mixture is distilled, it is possible to obtain :

• A. pure $HCl$
• B. pure water
• C. neither pure HCl nor pure water
• D. both pure HCl and pure water

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

neither pure HCl nor pure water

Water and $HCl$ form an azeotropic mixture. It is a constant boiling mixture in which the composition of the mixture remains the same throughout the boiling.

For such solution, the composition of vapour at its boiling point is same as that of liquid solution.

Hence, when the mixture is obtained, neither pure $HCl$ nor pure water is obtained.

Option C is correct.