A mixture of benzene and toluene can be separated by

A mixture of benzene and toluene can be separated by fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is a method used to separate two or more miscible liquids based on their differences in boiling points. In this process, the mixture is heated to its boiling point, and as the liquid boils, its vapors rise through a column where the separation occurs.

To better understand the process, let's take a closer look at how a mixture of acetone and benzene can be separated by fractional distillation. Both acetone and benzene have different boiling points, so they can be separated effectively using this technique. Similarly, a mixture of benzene and toluene can be separated, even though their boiling points are relatively close.

The boiling point of benzene is 80.1°C, and the boiling point of toluene is 110.6°C. This small difference allows fractional distillation to effectively separate the two substances. When the mixture is heated, benzene, with its lower boiling point, evaporates first. The vapor then rises through the distillation column, where it cools and condenses into a separate liquid phase.

In the case of a mixture of acetone and benzene, a similar approach is used. As the mixture is heated, the more volatile component, acetone (boiling point 56°C), will evaporate first, followed by benzene. This allows the components to be separated efficiently in distinct fractions. The same principle applies when separating benzene and toluene—by controlling the temperature and allowing the components to condense at their respective boiling points.

In conclusion, both a mixture of acetone and benzene can be separated by fractional distillation, as well as a mixture of benzene and toluene. The key factor is the difference in boiling points of the substances in the mixture, allowing fractional distillation to be an effective separation method.