Why is it possible to separate mixtures of liquids by boiling?

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Why is it possible to separate mixtures of liquids by boiling?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-29T01:04:24

Because liquids have different boiling points.

Explanation:

Every liquid has a different boiling point; for example, water ( $H_2O$ ) has a boiling point of $212$ degrees Fahrenheit ( $100$ degrees Celsius) at sea level, and household bleach (sodium hypochlorite, or $NaClO$ ) has a boiling point of $214$ degrees Fahrenheit ( $101$ degrees Celsius) at sea level. (Above and below sea level, they would boil at lower and higher temperatures, respectively).

If you had a water-bleach mixture (they will actually dissolve because they are both polar), and you heated it to $212$ degrees Fahrenheit ( $100$ degrees Celsius) at sea level, the water would evaporate, but the bleach wouldn't, leaving you with water vapor and bleach.

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Why is it possible to separate mixtures of liquids by boiling?

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