This process is used to separate components based on differences in their volatility.

This process is used to separate components based on differences in their volatility.

• A. Crystallization
• B. Distillation
• C. Extraction
• D. Filtration

Answer: (B)

Differences in volatility drive this separation. In distillation, heat is applied so the more volatile component—one with the lower boiling point—vaporizes first. That vapor is then condensed back to liquid elsewhere, giving a distillate enriched in the more volatile component. If boiling points are far apart, simple distillation works well; if they’re close, a fractional distillation column provides many vapor–liquid equilibria to improve separation. Other common methods rely on different principles: crystallization uses solubility and crystal formation, extraction uses solvent partitioning between phases, and filtration separates solids from liquids by size. So when the goal is to separate by how readily components vaporize, distillation is the appropriate process.

Differences in volatility drive this separation. In distillation, heat is applied so the more volatile component—one with the lower boiling point—vaporizes first. That vapor is then condensed back to liquid elsewhere, giving a distillate enriched in the more volatile component. If boiling points are far apart, simple distillation works well; if they’re close, a fractional distillation column provides many vapor–liquid equilibria to improve separation. Other common methods rely on different principles: crystallization uses solubility and crystal formation, extraction uses solvent partitioning between phases, and filtration separates solids from liquids by size. So when the goal is to separate by how readily components vaporize, distillation is the appropriate process.