A Liebig condenser is used in which process?

• A. Distillation
• B. Filtration
• C. Crystallization
• D. Precipitation

Answer: (A)

Distillation relies on turning a liquid into vapor and then back into liquid so components can be separated by their boiling points. A Liebig condenser provides the cooling needed to turn the vapor back into liquid. Its straight inner tube carries the hot vapor, while the surrounding water jacket keeps the outer surface cool. The vapor condenses on the cooled surface and drips down into the collecting flask, preventing loss of vapor and giving you the distillate. Filtration, crystallization, and precipitation don’t involve condensing vapour, so they don’t use a condenser in the same way.