Question

Q4: Ethanol has a boiling point of 78°C.Water has a boiling point of 100°C.

Describe how distillation is used to separate a mixture of ethanol and water.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

A mixture of ethanol and water can easily be separated by distillation. Distillation separation technique utilizes the differences in boiling point of a mixture of two liquids.

Since water has a higher boiling point compared to alcohol, it makes it easier for the process of distillation to occur

• In the distillation flask, the mixture is heated to a set temperature.
• At the boiling point of alcohol, the first fraction of this component begins to rise in the mixture and it is collected over the condenser.
• The remaining fraction will then be water.