Why evaporation is not possible in the separation of two miscible liquds?
Answers
Mixtures of liquids can be separated according to their properties. The technique used depends on whether the liquids dissolve in each other, and so are miscible, or if they are immiscible. Fractional distillation is a technique used to separate liquids according to their boiling points. Chromatography is used to separate mixtures of coloured compounds.
Separation of liquids
Liquids can be described in two ways – immiscible and miscible. The separation technique used for each liquid depends on the properties of the liquids.
Immiscible liquids
Separating oil and water in a separating funnel
Oil and water can be separated using a funnel
Immiscible means that the liquids don't dissolve in each other – oil and water are an example. It is possible to shake up the liquids and get them to mix but they soon separate. Separating immiscible liquids is done simply using a separating funnel. The two liquids are put into the funnel and are left for a short time to settle out and form two layers. The tap of the funnel is opened and the bottom liquid is allowed to run. The two liquids are now separate.
Miscible liquids
Miscible liquids are harder to separate as they dissolve in each other. Miscible liquids are often separated using fractional distillation. This is possible as miscible liquids have different boiling points.
Fractional distillation of liquid air
You need to be able to explain how nitrogen and oxygen are obtained from the air.
About 78 per cent of the air is nitrogen and 21 per cent is oxygen. These two gases can be separated by fractional distillation of liquid air.
Liquefying the air
Fractional distillation
Air is filtered to remove dust, and then cooled in stages until it reaches –200°C. At this temperature it is a liquid. We say that the air has been liquefied.
Here's what happens as the air liquefies:
Water vapour condenses, and is removed using absorbent filters
Carbon dioxide freezes at –79ºC, and is removed
Oxygen liquefies at –183ºC
Nitrogen liquefies at –196ºC
The liquid nitrogen and oxygen are then separated by fractional distillation.