Distillation separates components based on differences in what property?

Distillation separates components based on differences in what property?

• A. Boiling point
• B. Color
• C. Density
• D. Solubility

Answer: (A)

Distillation relies on differences in volatility, or boiling points. When a mixture is heated, the component with the lower boiling point vaporizes first, and the vapor can be condensed back into a separate liquid for collection. This makes distillation effective for separating liquids with different boiling points, especially when the difference is large; closer boiling points require a fractionating column to improve separation through many vaporization-condensation cycles. Other properties like color, density, or solubility govern other separation methods, not distillation.

Distillation relies on differences in volatility, or boiling points. When a mixture is heated, the component with the lower boiling point vaporizes first, and the vapor can be condensed back into a separate liquid for collection. This makes distillation effective for separating liquids with different boiling points, especially when the difference is large; closer boiling points require a fractionating column to improve separation through many vaporization-condensation cycles. Other properties like color, density, or solubility govern other separation methods, not distillation.