STUDENT SPACE · TOPIC 3

Simple and fractional distillation

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

EnglishChinese
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.

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