A steam volatile organic compound which is immiscible with water has a boiling point of 250 C. During steam distillation, a mixture of this organic compound and water will boil :
- above 100 C but below 250 C
- above 250 C
- at 250 C
- close to but below 100 C
Answer
(4) close to but below 100 C
Solution
In steam distillation the mixture boils when the sum of the vapour pressures equals atmospheric pressure: p1 + p2 = patm.
Water alone needs pwater = patm (at 100 C); with the organic compound's small vapour pressure added, this is reached at a temperature slightly lower than 100 C.
So the mixture boils close to but below 100 C.
Answer: (4)