Question

Why is distillation an effective method for separating a mixture of water and acetone?

Answer 1

Water and acetone are miscible liquids with boiling points of 100°C and 56°C, respectively. The difference in their boiling points is 44°C, which is greater than 25°C.

As the mixture is heated, acetone, having the lower boiling point, boils and changes into a vapour before water begins to vaporise significantly. The acetone vapour then passes through the condenser, where it cools and condenses back into liquid form. The condensed acetone is collected separately as the distillate, while water remains in the distillation flask.

Therefore, distillation is a suitable method for separating water and acetone.