Explain why a fractional distillation is more efficient than a simple distillati

Question

Explain why a fractional distillation is more efficient than a simple distillation for separating two volatile liquids. Draw a graph showing the ideal results of a fractional distillation of a mixture of 5 mL et y acetate and 5 mL n-propyl acetate. The y-axis of the graph should be the boiling point (recorded at the thermometer bulb), and the x-axis of the graph should be the volume of distillate collected. Explain the effect on the observed temperature reading if the bulb of the thermometer placed at the head of a distillation apparatus is positioned: 4" below the opening to the condenser 2" above the opening to the condenser

Explanation / Answer

Answer 1:

Separation of liquid mixture is more effectively done by fractional distillation than simple distillation if their boiling point are very close.

Simple distillation is generally used to separate liquids in a mixture, whose boiling points differ by around 20 degree celsius. It is used for the separation of volatile components of the mixture from the other non-volatile components with higher boiling points. In this technique the mixture is placed in a round bottom flask which is fitted to a condenser and then flask is heated. As the temperature is increased and reaches the boiling point threshold, the volatile component separates out in vapor form and passes through the condender and condenses in separate flask.

While fractional distillation is used to separate components whose boiling points are relatively very close to each other. The apparatus consists of a fractionating column, through which the vaporized components pass and go through repeated cycles of condensation and vaporization, until all the components have separated out.
The fractionating column consists of a series of glass plates where the various components, depending on their boiling points, condense at different heights, after going through repetitive cycles of vaporization. The component with the lowest boiling point reaches the top of the column and later condenses to liquid form.

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