Simple distillation
- Simple distillation is used to separate a liquid and soluble solid from a solution (e.g., water from a solution of salt water) or a pure liquid from a mixture of liquids
- The solution is heated, and pure water evaporates producing a vapour which rises through the neck of the round bottomed flask
- The vapour passes through the condenser, where it cools and condenses, turning into the pure liquid that is collected in a beaker
- After all the water is evaporated from the solution, only the solid solute will be left behind
Simple distillation
Diagram showing the distillation of a mixture of salt and water
Examiner Tip
If asked to draw or label a diagram of simple distillation, make sure that the water goes in at the bottom of the condenser near the collecting beaker, and comes out at the top near the column.