A distillation tower separates a mixture of two liquids on t

A distillation tower separates a mixture of two liquids on the basis of which physical property? (See fun diagram below.) Is the top of a distillation tower hotter, colder, or the same temperature as the bottom? Is the top of a distillation tower higher, lower or the same pressure as the bottom? Perfume (cologne, aftershave) is a mixture. Explain briefly why perfume might smell a bit different the moment after you apply it versus two hours later.

Solution

A) A distillation column separates a mixture of two liquids on the basis of boiling point by heating the mixture to a certain temperature at which one liquid will vaporize.

B) The top of distillation tower is colder than the bottom.

C) The top distillation tower is at lower pressure than the bottom.

D) Due to the body heat, fraction distillation takes place as the surrounding temperature is less than body temperature. Due to this some fraction of the compound will vaporize and the perfume might smell a bit different.