Danielle R. D. Campanizzi , Brenda Mason, and Christine K. F. Hermann
Radford University, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Box 6949, Radford, VA 24142
A simple apparatus to demonstrate distillation principles can be very difficult to build without the specialty glassware found in chemistry laboratories. We have built inexpensive but effective distillation apparatuses from equipment that can be easily purchased at local department, grocery, or hardware stores. In one apparatus, colored water is heated to boiling and the condensed vapors drip into another container. In another apparatus, acetone is heated to boiling with hot water and the acetone vapors condense onto a Styrofoam cup. The Styrofoam cup is softened by the acetone and collapses. Rubbing alcohol can be used instead of acetone, but the cup is not softened and the boiling point is much higher. Both apparatuses can be used in a classroom. Both are simple, cost-effective ways of demonstrating distillation, evaporation, and condensation. They would be ideal to use in elementary and middle school classrooms when explaining these concepts.
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Citation
Campanizzi , Danielle R. D.; Mason, Brenda; Hermann, Christine K. F. J. Chem. Educ.1999 76 1079.
Keywords
Introductory / High School Chemistry; Demonstrations; Teaching / Learning Aids; Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus
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