Which of the following best describes microscale distillation in a laboratory setting?

• A. A method that uses large volumes of liquid to increase the efficiency of separation.
• B. A technique that separates liquid mixtures using small quantities, typically less than 10 mL, to minimize waste and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• C. A process that relies on the density differences between solids and liquids to achieve separation.
• D. A technique that involves the use of magnetic fields to separate components of a mixture.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that microscale distillation is a laboratory technique designed to separate liquid mixtures using very small volumes, typically less than 10 mL.
2. Recognize that the primary goal of microscale distillation is to minimize chemical waste and reduce exposure to hazardous substances by working with minimal quantities.
3. Note that this technique still relies on the principles of distillation, which involves heating a liquid mixture to vaporize the more volatile component and then condensing the vapor back into liquid form.
4. Differentiate microscale distillation from other separation methods such as density-based separation or magnetic separation, which are unrelated to distillation.
5. Conclude that the best description of microscale distillation is a technique that separates liquid mixtures using small quantities to enhance safety and reduce waste.