Question

The process called _______ can be used to separate a mixture of alcohol and water.

Answer 1

• The method of separation of a liquid from a soluble component by first converting it into its vapor and then condensing the vapor is called distillation.
• The process is used for the separation of miscible liquids having different boiling points.
• The boiling point of alcohol is 78°C and the boiling point of water is 100°C. When a mixture of alcohol and water is heated, alcohol having a lower boiling point vaporizes earlier than water.
• On cooling, the vapors condense into pure alcohol and are collected in the receiver.

Therefore, the process called distillation can be used to separate a mixture of alcohol and water.