Distillation is a separation technique that uses boiling and condensation to remove and isolate the liquid part of a mixture.

A fraction is a part of something whole (e.g. a slice of cake).

Boiling occurs when a substance in the liquid state is heated and changes to the gas state with gas bubbles formed.

Condensation is the process by which a substance in the gas state is cooled and changes to a liquid state.

Distillation: practical

Science

In the Understanding Chemical Reactions unit, pupils will build on their understanding of physical changes to learn how atoms rearrange to form new substances during chemical reactions (chemical changes).

In the key stage 2 Properties, changes and separating materials unit, pupils learnt about mixtures, including solutions, and separation techniques including filtering and evaporation.

Separation techniques

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

True or false? Simple distillation can be used to separate mixtures with widely varying boiling points. 

The process of turning a substance in the gas state back into a liquid during distillation is called ...

To allow for multiple components of the mixture to vaporise together.

Decrease the boiling point of the mixture.

For controlled boiling of one substance at a time.

Why, during simple distillation, should the mixture be heated slowly?

Prevent boiling of the substances in the mixture.

Increase evaporation of substances in the mixture.

Ensure the gas changes into a liquid before it leaves the condenser.

Decrease the time taken for distillation.

The purpose of keeping the condenser cool in distillation is to:

True or false? Simple distillation is used to separate a mixture containing 4 substances with similar boiling points.

Separate complex mixtures with similar boiling points

Apparatus used to cool vapour back into liquid

The liquid that has been condensed from vapour

Separates basic mixtures and removes just one liquid

The temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas

 Match the distillation-related terms with their correct definitions.

True or false? The condenser in a distillation setup should be kept warm. 

Match the equipment labels to the correct scientific terms.

The vapour formed during distillation turns back into a liquid in the ...

True or false? Boiling is a cooling process that occurs when a liquid turns into a gas. 

What is the product called that is collected after it has been condensed in a distillation process?

Which of the following mixtures have components that can be separated using distillation?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Distillation: practical

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.