Question:
Can we separate a mixture of alcohol and water by the use of a separating funnel ? If not, suggest an alternate method.
Solution:
No, the mixture of alcohol and water cannot be separated by the use of separating funnel because the two are completely miscible with each other. The separation can be done by fractional distillation.
The student should have dissolved the impure sample in carbon disulphide. It is a liquid in which sulphur completely dissolves while iron does not. From the solution, sulphur can be recovered with the help of crystallization process.