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Steam Distillation

Mediumchemistry

Steam distillation is suitable for substances that:

Select the correct option:

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About This Question

Subject
chemistry
Chapter
purification techniques
Topic
steam distillation
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
steam distillationvolatile oils

Solution

Correct Answer:

Are immiscible with water and volatile at boiling of water

  1. Principle: Steam distillation is used for steam-volatile substances that are immiscible with water.
  2. Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures: In such a mixture, the total vapor pressure is the sum of the vapor pressures of the substance () and water (): .
  3. Boiling Condition: The mixture boils when reaches atmospheric pressure. This happens at a temperature below (the boiling point of water).
  4. Advantage: It allows liquids with very high boiling points (which might decompose if heated directly to their boiling point) to be distilled safely at lower temperatures.
  5. Examples: Separation of Aniline from water, extraction of essential oils from plants.

This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter purification techniques, covering the topic of steam distillation. It appeared in the 2025 exam.

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