MCAT Exam  >  MCAT Questions  >  An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose pr... Start Learning for Free
An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?
  • a)
    Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillation
  • b)
    Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environment
  • c)
    Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillation
  • d)
    Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtration
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be chang...
Azeotropes are mixtures that cannot be separated by simple distillation techniques. Generally additional separation techniques must be applied.
Adding another agent to create a ternary azeotrope coupled with further distillation would result in greater purification of ethanol.
Adding calcium oxide in water would create insoluble calcium hydroxide. Calcium oxide is essentially a dessicant, and what is left is pure ethanol.
Dissolving a salt will increase the boiling point or decreases the volatility of the solvent, namely water. Further purification of ethanol can be achieved.
Nitrogen is extremely inert, and distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas environment would not allow for greater purification of the mixture.
Free Test
Community Answer
An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be chang...
Understanding Azeotropes
Azeotropes are unique mixtures where the composition of vapor and liquid phases remains constant during distillation. This makes separating the components challenging.
Why Option B is Incorrect
In the context of separating ethanol from a 95% ethanol and 5% water azeotrope:
Distillation in an All-Nitrogen Environment
- Conducting distillation in an all-nitrogen environment does not alter the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the azeotropic mixture.
- Nitrogen does not interact or react with either ethanol or water, so it cannot change the boiling point or vapor composition.
- As a result, the same azeotropic composition will still be achieved, preventing further purification of ethanol.
Methods That Allow Purification
A) Dissolution of a Salt
- Adding potassium acetate can break the azeotropic behavior by changing the interactions in the solution.
- This affects the boiling points and allows for separation via distillation.
C) Addition of Cyclohexane
- Introducing cyclohexane can create a new ternary azeotrope, which can subsequently be distilled to separate ethanol from water.
D) Addition of Calcium Oxide
- Calcium oxide can absorb water from the mixture, effectively shifting the composition.
- This change allows distillation to yield a higher concentration of ethanol.
Conclusion
Thus, option B, distillation in an all-nitrogen environment, is the method that would NOT facilitate further purification of ethanol from the azeotropic mixture.
Explore Courses for MCAT exam

Top Courses for MCAT

Question Description
An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2025 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for MCAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for MCAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice An azeotrope is a mixture of liquids whose proportions cannot be changed by simple distillation because, when it is boiled, the vapor has the same proportions of constituents as the unboiled mixture. From an azeotropic mixture of 95% ethanol and 5% water, which of the following methods would NOT allow for further purification of ethanol at the azeotropic point?a)Dissolution of a salt like potassium acetate into mixture and then distillationb)Distillation conducted in an all-nitrogen gas (N2) environmentc)Addition of an additional agent like cyclohexane to the mixture to form a ternary azeotrope and then distillationd)Addition of calcium oxide to the mixture and then filtrationCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice MCAT tests.
Explore Courses for MCAT exam

Top Courses for MCAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev