How does fractional distillation work?

Fractional distillation works by using the fact that molecules of different sizes have different boiling points. Generally, the smaller a molecule, the lower its boiling point. When heating up a mixture of molecules, the lowest boiling compound will boil off first. While the compound is boiling, the temperature of the mixture will not increase above the lowest boiling point substance in the mixture as all the energy being put into the system is used to break intermolecular bonds and produce a gas. Once all of a substance boils off, then the tempertature of the mixture will increase to the next lowest boiling point and the process repeats again.

DS
Answered by David S. Chemistry tutor

33427 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How to balance chemical equations (harder level question): C6H12O6 + O2 --> CO2 + H2O


Why can an acid can be described as both strong and dilute?


Explain which species is oxidised in this reaction: Br2 +2I– 2Br– +I2.


What is the First Law of Thermodynamics?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning