Distillation: simple distillation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify equipment needed to carry out simple distillation and explain how the process works.
Key learning points
- Distillation separates a soluble substance from its solvent based on differences in boiling points.
- Distillation requires multiple pieces of apparatus which work in conjunction with each other.
- The processes of boiling and condensing are involved in the process of distillation.
- Simple distillation is used primarily to separate mixtures of only two components.
Keywords
Boiling - Boiling occurs when a substance in the liquid state is heated and changes to the gas state with gas bubbles formed.
Condensation - Condensation is the process by which a substance in the gas state is cooled and changes to a liquid state.
Distillation - Distillation is a separation technique that uses boiling and condensation to remove and isolate a liquid component of a mixture.
Condenser - A condenser is a piece of apparatus composed of a tube surrounded by a cold layer, usually cold water.
Distillate - A distillate is the condensed component that has been isolated during distillation.
Common misconception
Pupils to understand gas state; thinking solids, liquids and gases as 'types' of matter.
Refer to/use particle models to help clarify different states of matter and use these to describe why separation techniques work.
Teacher tip
Try demonstrating the distillation of cherry cola as an alternative to the classics copper sulfate solution or ink and water. The oil should distill before the water.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following processes describes when a substance in the liquid state turns into the gas state?
Q2.Which property of matter does not change when a substance changes state?
Q3.What laboratory equipment is used to measure the volume of liquids accurately?
Q4.True or false? The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which it becomes a gas.
Q5.Sort the following substances from the one which will boil first to the substance which will boil last when heated.
Q6.Match up the processes below to their descriptions.
where a liquid turns into a gas at the substance's surface
where a liquid turns into a gas at a specific temperature
where a gas is changed into a liquid
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the purpose of simple distillation?
Q2.True or false? The condenser in a distillation setup is used to heat the mixture.
Q3.What state is the distillate in when collected?
Q4.During distillation, when does a substance with a lower boiling point boil?
Q5.True or false? Simple distillation is best used for separating mixtures with significantly different boiling points.
Q6.Distillation separates a soluble substance from its solvent based on differences in .
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Distillation: simple distillation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 combined science lesson on: Distillation: simple distillation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 combined science lessons from the Separating substances unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.