Explain briefly the separation technique of fractional distillation, with reference to a particular example.

Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into its constituent fractions (e.g. petrol, naphtha etc. - names not required)Crude oil is heated to a high temperature and most is vaporised/evaporated, heavier molecules do not boil. Oil vapours/gases rise up the tower and condense into liquid at different points, this depends on their boiling point. Lighter molecules rise further up the tower than heavier molecules. The oil is therefore separated into fractions containing molecules with similar length hydrocarbons. Overall there is a temperature gradient up the tower.

MH
Answered by Max H. Chemistry tutor

2768 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is ionic bonding?


Why can graphite conduct electricity but not diamond?


The student did another experiment using 20 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 0.18 mol/dm3 . Relative formula mass (Mr) of NaOH = 40 Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide in 20 cm3 of this solution.


what is a catalyst


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning