Adam T asked:


I need help separating two unknown liquids, which I believe are ethanol and water. Does anyone know how I can separate them easily?

Caffeinated Content

4 Comments so far

1. kumorifox June 22, 2009 9:42 am

   Fractional distillation. You make use of the difference in boiling points of the two substances.

2. Bexy Babe June 22, 2009 7:18 pm

   well water has a boiling point of 100oc and if ethanol has a lower or higher boling point this is wat u do :

   get the substance and put it on a gauze on a tripod over a bunsen.
   then boil the substance for a bit and you will be left with the liquid with the highest boiling point

   i think its called fractional disstilation

3. xenia for you June 24, 2009 2:14 am

   by fractional distillation

4. Michael P June 26, 2009 5:03 am

   Distillation is the best way to go, but in an ideal case you end up with 95% eethanol 5% water azeotrope.
   You can dry water with a drying agent, magnesium sulfate works well, and is cheap. It is sold in drug stores as epsom salt. Be sure to bake it for 1 hour on high in the oven to get rid of absorbed water. It will work well to remove small quantaties of water.
   Do not distill any organic liquid on an open flame, it is a great way to start a fire, use a heating mantle or a hot plate.

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