______ is a process in which impure water is boiled and the steam is collected and condensed in a separate container, leaving many of the solid contaminants behind.

Distillation

The correct answer is option 1. Distillation.

Distillation is a separation process that utilizes differences in the boiling points of components to separate a mixture. In the context described, it is used for purifying water. Here's an explanation of the process:

1. Boiling: Impure water is heated to its boiling point. The component with the lowest boiling point (in this case, water) will vaporize first.

2. Steam Formation: As the water boils, steam (water vapor) rises, carrying with it the volatile components and leaving behind impurities that have higher boiling points (e.g., solid contaminants).

3. Collection and Condensation: The steam is then led into a separate container, away from the impurities. In this container, the steam is cooled and condensed back into liquid water. The condensed water is now purified because the impurities were left behind during the boiling process.

4. Separation: The condensed water is now separated from the impurities, resulting in purified water.

This process is effective for removing many types of impurities, including minerals, salts, and other solid contaminants. Distillation is widely used for water purification, especially in situations where high purity is required, such as in laboratories or in the production of distilled water for various industrial processes.