What is the process of distillation used for?

The process of distillation is primarily used to separate components of a mixture based on their different boiling points. This technique takes advantage of the fact that different substances boil at different temperatures; the component with the lowest boiling point vaporizes first and can be collected separately when it condenses back into liquid form. This makes distillation an important method in various industries, including the purification of liquids, separation of essential oils from plant materials, and the production of alcoholic beverages.

For instance, when separating a mixture of water and alcohol, distillation allows for the alcohol to be boiled off and then condensed back into a liquid, leaving the water behind. This method not only ensures a high degree of purity for the separated components but also efficiently recovers valuable substances. Thus, it plays a crucial role in both scientific and industrial applications by enabling the effective separation of mixtures.