A deep-space botanical outpost on Europa collects a uniform liquid solution containing rare cryogenic ether (boiling point 35 °C) and liquid nutrient solvent (boiling point 110 °C). To isolate the medicinal ether without destroying either substance, the science officer connects the reservoir to a specialized distillation chamber equipped with a heating mantle and a jacketed condenser. Which statement correctly predicts how this mixture will be separated during the thermal treatment?

A) Ether will vaporize first because it has a lower boiling point, and its vapor will be chilled back into liquid inside the condenser.

B) The nutrient solvent will vaporize first because higher boiling points allow substances to escape the liquid phase more rapidly.

C) Both liquids will turn into vapor simultaneously at 72.5 °C and separate naturally in the condenser according to their molecular mass.

D) Ether will be retained as an insoluble residue in the flask while the nutrient solvent passes through the condenser as a gas.

Distillation Original Scenario-Based Practice

Chemistry · Matter · Chemistry · Separation of Mixtures

1 Chemistry practice questions on Distillation. Questions built around original scenarios.

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Matter · Chemistry

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