Which device is used to condense steam back into water?

• A. Liebig condenser
• B. Distillation flask
• C. Pipette
• D. Beaker

Answer: (A)

Condensing steam back into water means removing heat from the vapor so it changes into a liquid. A condenser provides a cool surface for the vapor to contact, which allows it to lose energy and turn into liquid water. The Liebig condenser is designed for this purpose: hot vapor travels through a narrow inner tube, while cool water flows around it in a surrounding jacket. The heat transfer cools the vapor, causing it to condense and drip back as liquid into the receiving container. The other tools don’t perform this condensation: a distillation flask is used to heat and produce the vapor, a pipette is for transferring small volumes, and a beaker is for holding liquids. So the device that condenses steam back into water is the Liebig condenser.