How to separate acetic acid from aqueos solution.
To separate acetic acid from an aqueous solution, you can use a process called distillation. Here's how you can do it:
1. Set up a distillation apparatus: You will need a round-bottom flask to hold the aqueous solution, a heating source such as a hot plate, a condenser to collect the distilled acetic acid, and a receiving flask to collect the distilled liquid.
2. Pour the aqueous solution containing acetic acid into the round-bottom flask. Make sure the flask is no more than two-thirds full to prevent any potential boiling over.
3. Attach the distillation apparatus together, making sure that the joints and connections are secure to prevent any leaks.
4. Heat the round-bottom flask using a hot plate. Apply heat gradually to avoid rapid boiling. Acetic acid has a boiling point of around 118 degrees Celsius, so the temperature should be raised slowly to achieve gentle evaporation.
5. As the solution begins to heat up, acetic acid will evaporate from the mixture and rise up into the condenser, where it will be cooled and condense back into a liquid form.
6. The condensed acetic acid will then drip down into the receiving flask, separate from the remaining aqueous solution.
7. Continue heating until most of the acetic acid has been distilled and collected in the receiving flask. You can monitor this by checking the temperature and collecting the liquid in intervals.
8. Once you have collected the desired amount of acetic acid, remove the receiving flask and stop heating the solution.
9. Allow the apparatus to cool down before disassembling it.
By following these steps, you should be able to separate acetic acid from the aqueous solution using the process of distillation.