Question

If heat is supplied to the stillpot too rapidly, the ability to separate two liquids by fractional distillation may be drastically reduced. In terms of the theory of ditillation presented in the discussion, explain why this is so.

Answer 1

Yes, it's temperature dependent

Step-by-step explanation:

A good fractional distillation depends largely upon maintaining a temperature gradient within the column. Perfectly, the temperature at the bottom of the column should be close or similar to the boiling temperature of the solution in the pot, and it should reduce continuously in the column until it reaches the boiling point of the more volatile component at the top of the column. If the distillation flask is heated too quickly, the whole column will heat up almost distributively and eliminate the desired temperature gradient. The result will be little fractionation and separation of the components.