# A student uses simple distillation to separate ethanol from a mixture of ethanol and water. Explain why simple distillation is able to separate these two liquids, and describe what happens to the mixture during the process.

> Eduqas GCSE Chemistry — 1.5 Rate of chemical change · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Ethanol and water have different boiling points
2. Ethanol has a lower boiling point (than water) so it evaporates first / the liquid with the lowest boiling point evaporates first
3. The ethanol vapour is cooled and condensed (in a condenser) and collected as a liquid
4. As distillation continues, the remaining solution becomes more concentrated in water / the amount of ethanol in the mixture decreases

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Chemistry](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-uses-simple-distillation-to-4bba23f9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.