Distillation
Science: KS3, topic 2.1.18
Distillation
Distillation is used to separate a mixture of liquids. The mixture of liquids can be separated because the liquids have different boiling points.
Distillation
- A mixture of liquids with different boiling points can be separated using distillation.
- The mixture is heated and the liquids are evaporated.
- If the liquid is cooled and condensed, it can then be collected again.
Pure water
- Pure or distilled water is often used in practical investigations of distillation.
- Pure water is used because it does not contain any impurities like minerals.
Distilling ethanol
- Ethanol is an alcohol.
- Ethanol can be separated from water using distillation.
- Ethanol boils at 78 °C and water boils at 100°C.
Distilling crude oil
- Crude oil is made up of different fractions.
- Crude oil can separated into its various fractions.
- The process of separating crude oil is called fractional distillation.
Test yourself on Distillation
What kind of water is often used in practical investigations of distillation?
What temperature does water boil at?
Why does ethanol evaporate before water when a mixture of the two is heated?
A mixture of ethanol and water is heated to 90 °C. What is most likely to happen?