Weekly Assignment Content
1) Include an introduction explaining what fractional distillation is.
2) Include the purpose of the experiment carried out in the assigned video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhPr6opC8M)
3) Summarize the following video with all experimental procedures. Be as detailed as possible. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyhPr6opC8M)
4) Cite any sources used even the lab handout that helped you write your discussion as well as the videos watched. 5) Answer the post lab questions.
Fractional Distillation Post lab Questions
1) What is the best procedure for separating two miscible organic liquids that have over 150 degrees difference in their boiling points (e.g., a volatile and a non-volatile liquid)? What is the best procedure for separating two miscible organic liquid which have only a few degrees difference in their boiling points (e.g. two relatively volatile liquids)?
2) Discuss two factors that affect the efficiency of a fractional distillation and how they affect efficiency.
3) Can an azeotropic mixture be separated by distillation? Explain
4) Why is it dangerous to carry out a distillation in a completely closed system, i.e. one with no vent to the atmosphere? 5) In a distillation, why should the boiling flask never be filled more than 2/3 to 3/4 full? 6) Why should you never let the distillation go to dryness (i.e., never let all the liquid completely distill out of the boiling flask)? 7) What would be the effect of having the thermometer: a) in the boiling liquid in the distilling flask? b) high above the side arm of the 3-way distilling head? 8) For a water-cooled condenser, explain why water enters the condenser at the lowest point (bottom) and exits at the highest point (top)
Sample Solution