Final answer:
Essential oil can be recovered from plant material through distillation. Intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and London dispersion forces play a role in the recovery process.
Step-by-step explanation:
To recover the essential oil from plant material, a process called distillation is commonly used. The plant material is heated, and the volatile compounds in the oil evaporate. The vapors are then condensed and collected to obtain the essential oil.
During the distillation process, several intermolecular interactions take place. These interactions include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. In the case of essential oils, these interactions occur between the molecules of the oil, allowing them to condense and be collected.