Distillation

Distillation is a process used to collect the liquid that is evaporated from a solution. The liquid is first heated to cause evaporation, but the evaporated substance is then collected and cooled. This process is called condensation. When the steam cools and condenses it forms back into purified liquid water. Pure drinking water could be separated from saltwater using this method.

Mixtures of different liquids, such as alcohol and water, can be separated by distillation. Water has a boiling point of 100 degrees C, while alcohol has a boiling point of only 70 degrees C. Heating the mixture to 80 degrees C would mean that the alcohol evaporates and can be collected separately, while the water won't boil.