Explain how distillation recovers a solvent or separates a mixture of liquids.
The essentials
Distillation collects a liquid by vaporising it and then condensing the vapour.
Simple distillation can collect a solvent from a solution containing a dissolved solid.
Fractional distillation separates miscible liquids with different boiling points using repeated vaporisation and condensation in a fractionating column.
Key vocabulary
English
Chinese
distillation
蒸馏
condenser
冷凝器
distillate
馏出液
fractionating column
分馏柱
Quick practice
Try each question before opening its hint or answer. Use paper for calculations and diagrams.
Question 1
You need the liquid solvent from a solution. Why is evaporation alone unsuitable?
Need a hint for Question 1?
What happens to the vapour if there is no condenser?
Check Question 1
Evaporation lets the solvent escape as vapour. Distillation condenses that vapour so the solvent can be collected.
Question 2
Describe how to obtain water from salt solution. Include the changes of state and the purpose of the condenser.
Need a hint for Question 2?
Follow water through evaporation and condensation.
Check Question 2
Use simple distillation. Water vaporises in the heated flask and condenses in the cooled condenser. Collect the liquid water. Salt remains in the flask.
Question 3
Why is a fractionating column useful for separating two miscible liquids with similar boiling points? Which component is enriched in the first fraction?
Need a hint for Question 3?
Think about repeated changes of state in the column.
Check Question 3
Repeated vaporisation and condensation improve separation. The first fraction is enriched in the component with the lower boiling point.
Use Lesson 3 in your worksheet for written practice. Your teacher will discuss those answers in class.
PREDICT · TRY · EXPLAIN · 3–5 MINUTES
Choose a separation method
Choose a method before revealing the outcome. Explain which physical property makes it work.
Your task: collect dry sand.
Mixture sand + water
→
Predict the collected substance
Explain: does your method depend on solubility, volatility or different boiling points? Schematic decision model; no real apparatus is operated.