Question

question 27 of 30 which method can be used to separate a mixture of ethanol and water into its component parts? a. chromatography b. freezing c. distillation d. filtering

Explanation:

• Option A: Chromatography is used to separate mixtures based on differential partitioning between a mobile phase and a stationary phase, often for complex mixtures with different affinities, not ideal for ethanol - water (a homogeneous liquid - liquid mixture with different boiling points).
• Option B: Freezing ethanol - water mixture is not a practical way to separate them as their freezing points are close and the mixture forms a eutectic mixture, making separation by freezing difficult.
• Option C: Distillation separates components of a liquid mixture based on differences in their boiling points. Ethanol has a boiling point of about 78.4°C and water has a boiling point of 100°C. So, distillation (fractional distillation for better separation as they form an azeotrope, but still distillation is the method) can be used to separate ethanol and water.
• Option D: Filtering is used to separate solid - liquid or solid - solid mixtures, not liquid - liquid mixtures like ethanol and water.

Answer:

C. Distillation