How does fractional distillation differ from simple distillation?
Answer:
Simple distillation refers to the "simple" separation of a solid and a liquid by evaporating the liquid and collecting it after it passes through a condenser to be changed into a liquid state.
Fractional distillation refers to the more complex way of separation, usually involving a liquid/liquid mixture (eg. ethanol and water). these can be separated since they both have different boiling points. When this mixture is heated the ethanol having the lowest boiling point boils off first, followed by the water. However the fractional coulomb condenses both gases back into liquid, and fall back in the flask, with time the ethanol gains enough energy to over come the fractional coulomb (this happen before the water does this since ethanol has a LOWER boiling point) and pass through the condenser, changes into a liquid and is collected.