fractional distillation

• What is the purpose of fractional distillation?

  To separate a mixture of liquids with different boiling points
• How does simple distillation differ from fractional distillation?

  Simple distillation separates a liquid from a solid, while fractional distillation separates different liquids
• What is a key requirement for fractional distillation to work effectively?

  The liquids must have different boiling points
• What is the name of the column used in fractional distillation?

  Fractionating column
• What role do the glass beads in the fractionating column play?

  They provide surface area for repeated condensation and evaporation
• What is located at the top of the fractionating column?

  A thermometer and a condenser
• What happens to the vapors as they rise in the fractionating column?

  They condense and drip back into the flask, allowing for repeated evaporation
• If one liquid has a boiling point of 80°C and another has 100°C, which will evaporate first during fractional distillation?

  The liquid with a boiling point of 80°C
• What indicates that a mixture of vapors is passing over the thermometer?

  The temperature on the thermometer begins to rise
• What does it mean when the temperature on the thermometer stops rising during fractional distillation?

  It indicates the lower boiling point of the liquid being collected
• What is collected in a fresh beaker during fractional distillation?

  The first proper fraction of the chemical with the lower boiling point
• What happens when the thermometer reaches a constant temperature of 100°C during fractional distillation?

  A relatively pure sample of the second chemical is collected
• What is a challenge when separating two liquids with very similar boiling points?

  It may require several rounds of fractional distillation
• Why is the equipment shown not useful for separating a very large volume of liquid?

  It is not designed for large-scale separation processes
• What are the steps involved in fractional distillation?

  1. Heat the mixture to evaporate the liquids.
  2. Vapors rise into the fractionating column.
  3. Vapors condense and drip back into the flask.
  4. Repeat evaporation and condensation occurs.
  5. Collect the lower boiling point liquid when the thermometer stabilizes.
  6. Collect the higher boiling point liquid when the temperature rises again.
• What are the limitations of fractional distillation?

  • Difficult to separate liquids with similar boiling points
  • Not suitable for large volumes of liquid