Question

Explain how nitrogen oxygen and argon gases are separated from air

Answer 1

An air separation plant separates atmospheric air into its primary components, typically nitrogen and oxygen, and sometimes also argon and other rare inert gases.

Answer 2

'Fractional distillation' of liquid air can be used to separate oxygen, nitrogen and argon from air.

EXPLANATION:

Air is a mixture of gases of which nitrogen forms a major part, almost 78%. Oxygen is present in air up to 21%. The rest of the 'air' is composed of different gases like carbon dioxide, argon, helium etc.

Fractional distillation of liquid air is used for separating the various gases based on the fact that different gases have different boiling points.