Distillation: separating a mixture of inks
I can describe how to successfully separate the components of ink.
Distillation: separating a mixture of inks
I can describe how to successfully separate the components of ink.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Appropriate equipment should be used to separate substances in a mixture of inks.
- Inks are a mixture of substances that can be separated using distillation.
- Care should be taken when heating substances to their boiling points.
- Simple distillation completed in the school lab has limitations.
Keywords
Component - a part of something, e.g. a tyre on a car
Distillation - a separation technique that uses boiling and condensation to remove and isolate a liquid component of a mixture
Delivery tube - a thin tube used to transfer (i.e. "deliver") a substance (usually in the gas state) from one container to another
Condenser - a piece of apparatus composed of a tube surrounded by a cold layer, usually cold water
Distillate - the liquid that is condensed from the gas state during distillation
Common misconception
Heating a mixture strongly will cause distillation to occur more quickly.
Heating a mixture strongly could cause multiple components to enter a condenser (or delivery tube), resulting in a contaminated distillate. Careful, gentle heating of the mixture to ensure no bubbles near the condenser will reduce contamination.
Equipment
Per group: conical flask, delivery tube, test tube, ice, beaker, inky water sample, heatproof mat, Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
mixture
thermometer
condenser
distillate
