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Lesson: Fractional Distillation of Air

In this lesson, we will learn how to describe the properties of gases in air and describe their separation by low-temperature fractional distillation.

Worksheet • 19 Questions

Q1:

To within which range of temperatures must air be cooled before it enters the fractionating column?

  • A − 2 0 5 to − 2 0 0 ∘ C
  • B − 1 9 0 to − 1 8 5 ∘ C
  • C − 2 0 0 to − 1 9 5 ∘ C
  • D − 2 1 0 to − 2 0 0 ∘ C
  • E − 1 9 5 to − 1 9 0 ∘ C

Q2:

Which of the following is a common application of both oxygen and chlorine?

  • AThe manufacture of cleaning products
  • BReactants in the contact process
  • CThe manufacture of steel
  • DThe sterilization of drinking water
  • EThe manufacture of margarine

Q3:

Which of the following is a common application of both nitrogen and argon?

  • APreservation of foods
  • BReactants in the Haber process
  • CManufacture of margarine
  • DSterilization of drinking water
  • EManufacture of cleaning products

Q4:

The components of air can be separated in a fractionating column, as shown.

Fraction A is collected at the top of the column. Which range of temperatures must be maintained at the top of the column?

  • A − 1 9 5 − 1 9 0 t o C ∘
  • B − 2 0 5 − 2 0 0 t o C ∘
  • C − 2 0 0 − 1 9 5 t o C ∘
  • D − 1 8 5 − 1 8 0 t o C ∘
  • E − 1 9 0 − 1 8 5 t o C ∘

Fraction B is collected at the bottom of the column. Which range of temperatures must be maintained at the bottom of the column?

  • A − 1 9 0 − 1 8 5 t o C ∘
  • B − 2 0 5 − 2 0 0 t o C ∘
  • C − 1 8 5 − 1 8 0 t o C ∘
  • D − 2 0 0 − 1 9 5 t o C ∘
  • E − 1 9 5 − 1 9 0 t o C ∘

Identify the major component of fraction A.

  • AGaseous nitrogen
  • BGaseous argon
  • CLiquid nitrogen
  • DGaseous oxygen
  • ELiquid oxygen

Identify the major component of fraction B.

  • ALiquid oxygen
  • BGaseous argon
  • CGaseous nitrogen
  • DGaseous oxygen
  • ELiquid nitrogen

Q5:

Which component of air is the most hazardous when pure?

  • AOxygen
  • BWater
  • CCarbon dioxide
  • DNitrogen
  • EArgon

Q6:

When air is distilled to obtain pure nitrogen, which components undergo changes of state and which changes of state are observed?

  • ANitrogen boils
  • BNitrogen sublimes
  • CBoth nitrogen and oxygen boil
  • DBoth nitrogen and oxygen sublime
  • EOxygen boils

Q7:

The first step in the production of pure nitrogen is to cool air so that the components undergo changes of state. Water is the first component to condense as air is cooled. List the other components of air in the order that they condense or freeze as the temperature decreases.

  • ACarbon dioxide, oxygen, argon, nitrogen
  • BArgon, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide
  • CCarbon dioxide, argon, oxygen, nitrogen
  • DNitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, oxygen
  • EArgon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen

Q8:

Which synthetic product generates the highest demand for nitrogen as a reactant when manufactured?

  • AFertilizers
  • BPlastics
  • CExplosives
  • DMedicines
  • EFuels

Q9:

At 1 atm pressure, what is the boiling point of oxygen to the nearest °C?

Q10:

All of the components of air form a liquid or a solid when cooled below a critical boiling or sublimation temperature. Which of the five most abundant components of air forms the densest material when cooled to its critical temperature at 1 atm pressure?

  • ACarbon dioxide
  • BNitrogen
  • CWater
  • DArgon
  • EOxygen

Q11:

At 1 atm pressure, what is the boiling point of argon to the nearest °C?

Q12:

Which component of air has the highest bond energy?

  • ANitrogen
  • BArgon
  • COxygen
  • DWater
  • ECarbon dioxide

Q13:

Why might a second fractional distillation be necessary when separating air into its pure components?

  • ATo separate gaseous argon from liquid oxygen
  • BTo separate gaseous nitrogen from liquid argon
  • CTo separate gaseous nitrogen from liquid oxygen
  • DTo separate gaseous oxygen from liquid nitrogen
  • ETo separate gaseous oxygen from liquid argon

Q14:

Which component of air is the least reactive?

  • AArgon
  • BCarbon dioxide
  • COxygen
  • DWater
  • ENitrogen

Q15:

At 1 atm pressure, what is the boiling point of nitrogen to the nearest °C?

Q16:

How many of the five most abundant components of air do not form liquids when cooled at 1 atm pressure?

Q17:

Why is the fractional distillation of air described as a physical process?

  • ANo chemical bonds are broken or formed during the process.
  • BThe process involves changes in temperature, a physical variable.
  • CThe process requires an input of energy.
  • DThe number of molecules does not change during the process.
  • EThe process is reversible.

Q18:

Which of the following is a common application of oxygen gas?

  • AManufacture of steel
  • BAs a reactant in the Haber process
  • CPreservation of foods
  • DManufacture of margarine
  • ESterilization of drinking water

Q19:

List the five most abundant components of air in order of increasing molecular mass.

  • AWater < nitrogen < oxygen < argon < carbon dioxide
  • BOxygen < nitrogen < carbon dioxide < argon < water
  • CWater < oxygen < nitrogen < carbon dioxide < argon
  • DNitrogen < oxygen < water < carbon dioxide < argon
  • ENitrogen < oxygen < argon < water < carbon dioxide
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