Question

Methanol, propan-1-ol and ethanol has boiling point of 65 degree celsius, 97 degree celsuis, 87 degree celsuis respectively. A student uses fractional distillation to separate a mixture of these compound. State which liquid will be collected in the second fraction and explain why

Answer 1

ethanol

Step-by-step explanation:

Methanol has a boiling point of 65°C, propan-1-ol has a boiling point of 97°C and ethanol has a boiling point of 87°C

Fractional distillation is used for separating miscible liquids through the use of the different vapor pressure properties of the liquids. As the mixture is heated up, components start to vaporize according to their boiling points. The component with the least boiling point vaporizes first while the component with the highest boiling point vaporizes last.

This means that methanol would vaporize at the first fraction because it has the lowest boiling point followed by ethanol at the second fraction and then propan-1-ol at the last fraction.