You are here
Examine Fig. 5.26. (i) Identify the separation technique marked 'S'. (ii) Label the apparatus A, B and C. (iii) Which of the following mixtures can be separated by the technique identified above? Use the data given in Table 5.5. Mixtures: (a) water–acetone (b) water–salt (c) acetone–alcohol (d) sand–salt (e) alcohol–chloroform (f) alcohol–benzene
View Answer
(i) The technique 'S' is distillation . (ii) A is the distillation flask, B is the water condenser, and C is the conical flask that collects the distillate.
(iii) Distillation works when boiling points differ by about 25 °C or more. From Table 5.5 (Water 100, Acetone 56, Alcohol 78, Chloroform 61, Benzene 80): water–acetone (gap 44 °C) and water–salt (a dissolved solid in liquid) can be separated. Acetone–alcohol (22 °C), alcohol–chloroform (17 °C) and alcohol–benzene (2 °C) have gaps too small for simple distillation; sand–salt is a solid–solid mixture, not separated by distillation.
← Back to concept: 5.3.2 Distillation