The boiling point of water is 100ºC. The boiling point of acetone is 56ºC. Which statement about distilling a mixture of acetone and water is correct?

Question

Water will vaporize from the mixture before acetone.

Water is collected as it leaves the mixture.

Acetone remains in the original container.

Acetone is captured and cooled.

choose the correct answer

Answer 1

The correct statement about distilling a mixture of acetone and water is:

Acetone is captured and cooled.

During distillation, acetone, which has a lower boiling point (56ºC), will vaporize first as the temperature is increased. The vaporized acetone can then be captured and condensed back into a liquid. Water, with a higher boiling point (100ºC), will remain in the original container until the temperature is raised sufficiently to boil it.