What kind of substances are separated using the technique of steam distillation?

Substances that are steam volatile

The correct answer is option 4. Substances that are steam volatile.

The substances that are separated using the technique of steam distillation are Substances that are steam volatile.

Steam distillation is a technique used to separate substances that are volatile with steam.

Steam distillation exploits the difference in volatility between the substance to be separated and the water vapor. It is particularly useful for separating substances that are sensitive to high temperatures or undergo decomposition at their boiling points.

In steam distillation, the mixture to be separated is heated in the presence of steam. The steam carries the volatile components of the mixture along with it, and the vapor mixture is then condensed back into a liquid. The condensed liquid contains the desired volatile component, which is collected separately.

Steam distillation is commonly used to extract essential oils from plant materials. Many aromatic compounds found in plants are volatile with steam and can be easily separated using this method. For example, essential oils such as lavender oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil are often obtained through steam distillation of the corresponding plant materials.

Steam distillation allows for the separation of volatile substances without subjecting them to high temperatures, which can cause degradation or decomposition. It is also a relatively simple and efficient method for isolating volatile components from complex mixtures.

Apart from extracting essential oils, steam distillation is also used in various other applications. It can be employed to purify or separate volatile organic compounds from reaction mixtures in chemistry laboratories. Additionally, it is utilized in the production of certain alcoholic beverages, such as brandy and whiskey, to concentrate the aromatic compounds present in the fermented mash.

In summary, steam distillation is a technique used to separate substances that are volatile with steam. It is particularly useful for extracting essential oils from plant materials and for purifying or isolating volatile organic compounds in chemical processes.