2-distillation

• what is simple distillation?

  separation of a solvent from a solution
• what is the method for simple distillation?

  • salty water is heated
  • the water vapour cools into a condenser and drips into a beaker
  • the water has condensed into the beaker and the salt stays behind
• what is fractional distillation?

  separation of a mixture into its components based on their different boiling points.
• what is the method of fractional distillation?

  • water and ethanol solution is heated
  • the ethanol evaporates first(lower boiling point) and forms pure ethanol vapour and then condenses
  • the water left then evaporates and then cools, condenses
•  What is the temperature on the thermometer when the water is distilling off?
• what is the temperature on the thermometer when the water is distilling off?

  100°C
• why does the collection tube need to be surrounded by crushed ice?

  essential for efficient condensation of the vapour due to the cold environment surrounding the vapour
• what are the main errors in this procedure?

  incomplete separation due to equipment not being set up correctly, overheating, insufficient cooling and inaccurate measurement
• how can you improve the procedure?

  optimise heating, control sample size, document procedure, practice safety precautions