# A student separates a mixture of liquids using simple distillation. Describe how simple distillation works and explain why it is able to separate the liquids.

> WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales) — 1.2 Atomic structure and the periodic table · Describe · 4 marks

> A student has a solution of salt dissolved in water. She wants to collect a sample of pure water from the solution using simple distillation.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The solution is heated
2. The solvent (water) evaporates / turns to vapour / gas
3. The vapour is cooled and condensed to collect the liquid
4. It works because the solvent has a much lower boiling point than the solute, so only the solvent evaporates

## Key terms

- [simple distillation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/simple-distillation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-separates-a-mixture-of-446bdf9a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.