Question

The components of an azeotropic solutions can be separated by simple
distillation.
(a) True
(b) False

Answer 1

Hint: We know that simple distillation is a procedure where we can separate two liquids with different boiling points. We can check the definition of azeotropic solutions to identify whether they will be separated by simple distillation.

Complete Step by step answer:
First of all, we can see what is meant by an azeotropic mixture or solution. A mixture of two real miscible liquids having a definite composition which boils at a constant temperature without undergoing any change in composition is called an azeotropic mixture or constant boiling mixture or simply an azeotrope.

There are two types of azeotropic mixtures:
(i) Minimum boiling azeotropes: These are the mixture of two liquids whose boiling point is less than either of the two pure components.
(ii) Maximum boiling azeotropes: These are the mixtures of two liquids whose boiling point is more than either of the two pure components.
From this what we can see is that at a particular composition both components of mixture boil at the same temperature. That means the components boiling points are at the same temperature. We can also say that the components of azeotropic mixture go into vapour phase at constant temperature hence we won’t be too separated by simple distillation.

Hence, the option (b) is correct.

Note: Azeotropes can be separated by some of the following methods
(a) Entrainer Distillation: We use an entrainer which is a material that changes the stability of one of the components. Then we obtain a heterogeneous azeotrope is formed
(b) Pressure swing distillation: Here, we change the pressure in order to modify the mixture composition and enrich the distillate with the desired project.