Question

when should i use simple distillation and when should i use fractional distillation to separate the mixture?

Answer 1

Simple distillation is used when the "simple" separation of a solid and a liquid by evaporating the liquid and collecting it after it passes through a condenser to be changed into a liquid state.

Fractional distillation is usually involving a liquid/liquid mixture (eg. ethanol and water). these can be separated since they both have different boiling points. When this mixture is heated the ethanol having the lowest boiling point boils off first, followed by the water. However the fractional coulomb condenses both gases back into liquid, and fall back in the flask, with time the ethanol gains enough energy to over come the fractional coulomb (this happen before the water does this since ethanol has a LOWER boiling point) and pass through the condenser, changes into a liquid and is collected.

Answer 2

You would use simple distillation when the two products you are trying to separate have large difference in boiling points. Fractional distillation is needed when the two products have very close boiling points

Answer 3

thank you :)