# A student wants to separate a mixture of two liquids that are miscible with each other and have different boiling points. Describe how the student could use simple distillation to obtain a pure sample of the liquid with the lower boiling point.

> Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) — 1.2 Methods of separating and purifying substances · Describe · 4 marks

> Two miscible liquids, liquid A (boiling point 78 °C) and liquid B (boiling point 100 °C), are mixed together.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The mixture is heated in a flask until it boils / until it reaches the boiling point of liquid A
2. The vapour (of liquid A) rises and passes into a condenser / cooled tube
3. The condenser cools the vapour so that it condenses back into a liquid
4. The liquid is collected in a separate container / flask, leaving liquid B behind in the original flask

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" 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-wants-to-separate-a-989b0b4b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.