To separate camphor and naphthalene through sublimation, you can follow a methodical approach that takes advantage of their differing sublimation temperatures. Here’s a detailed explanation.
Understanding Sublimation
- Sublimation is the process where a solid transforms directly into a gas without passing through a liquid phase.
- Camphor sublimes at a lower temperature (around 175°C) compared to naphthalene (around 80°C).
Materials Required
- A mixture of camphor and naphthalene
- Heating apparatus (Bunsen burner or hot plate)
- Beaker
- Watch glass or petri dish
- Ice bath (for condensation)
Procedure
1. Setup the Apparatus
- Place the mixture of camphor and naphthalene in a beaker.
- Invert a watch glass over the beaker to collect sublimed vapors.
2. Heating
- Gently heat the beaker to allow sublimation. Monitor the temperature to avoid excessive heating.
3. Sublimation of Camphor
- As the temperature rises, camphor will sublime, and its vapors will rise and condense on the cooler surface of the watch glass.
4. Collection
- Once sufficient camphor has sublimed, remove the heat source. Allow the system to cool, causing the camphor to solidify on the watch glass.
5. Separation of Naphthalene
- The remaining naphthalene will stay in the beaker as it has not sublimed.
Conclusion
- By controlling the temperature and utilizing sublimation, you can effectively separate camphor from naphthalene.
- This method is efficient and preserves the purity of both substances.