A scientist is working in a lab and accidentally combines two liquids that quickly form a solution. Which process could be used to separate the two liquids?(1 point) Responses heating the liquids and letting one boil away first heating the liquids and letting one boil away first waiting for the two liquids to separate waiting for the two liquids to separate collecting one of the liquids with a spoon collecting one of the liquids with a spoon passing the liquids through a filter to collect one of them
To separate two liquids that have formed a solution, particularly if they have different boiling points, you can use the process of distillation. This method involves heating the liquids and letting the one with the lower boiling point boil away first. The vapor of the boiled liquid is then cooled and condensed back into a liquid in a separate container. This is a common lab technique used to separate and purify liquids.
The other options provided are less suitable for separating two liquids that have mixed into a solution:
- Waiting for the two liquids to separate might not be effective if they have formed a true solution, as in many cases, they will not separate on their own.
- Collecting one of the liquids with a spoon is not feasible if the liquids have formed a solution, as they are homogeneous at that point.
- Passing the liquids through a filter would not separate the two liquids if they are truly dissolved in one another, as filtration is used to separate solids from liquids or immiscible liquids with different densities.
Hence, the correct method to use for separating two different liquids that have formed a solution is:
Heating the liquids and letting one boil away first. (Distillation)