The mixture of ethanol and water cannot be separated by distillation because

Question

The mixture of ethanol and water cannot be separated by distillation because (A) They form a constant boiling mixture (B) Alcohol molecules are solvated (C) Their boiling points are very near (D) Alcohol remains dissolved in water

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

The solution of ethanol and water formed an azeotropic mixture i.e a constant boiling point mixture and hence, their proportions cannot be altered or changed by simple distillation So, absolute ethanol cannot be separated by distillation because they form a constant boiling mixture.

Q. The mixture of ethanol and water cannot be separated by distillation because

They form a constant boiling mixture

Alcohol molecules are solvated

Their boiling points are very near

Alcohol remains dissolved in water

The solution of ethanol and water formed an azeotropic mixture i.e a constant boiling point mixture and hence, their proportions cannot be altered or changed by simple distillation So, absolute ethanol cannot be separated by distillation because they form a constant boiling mixture.