GCSE Science Lesson Plan

Lesson provided by Vicki Dennison

Fractional Distillation
Background

Recent curriculum changes have meant that there is now an increased emphasis on hydrocarbons: their production, uses as fuels and as the raw materials for making plastics, and the environmental impacts associated with them. Fractional distillation is the starting point for the further study of hydrocarbons, and it is therefore of great importance that students understand this industrial process.

Aims

This lesson plan aims to provide students with tangible, accessible examples to illustrate the principles and processes involved in fractional distillation.

sample material
w

FREE
download from

ww

The Activity
Using the Fractional Distillation presentation taken from Boardworks GCSE Science, use the animation on slide 2 (free to download) to introduce the concept of a fractionating column. This slide provides a great visual representation of how crude oil can be separated into fractions containing molecules with similar boiling points.

.boa

o rdworks.c

.u

It is important to ensure that students understand the link between boiling point and Frational D istillation, sl the number of carbons within the molecules or ide 2 chain length. I use slide 3 (free to download) to introduce the structure of hydrocarbons and the concept of intermolecular forces. The animation on this slide contains clear diagrams showing hydrocarbons of differing chain lengths interacting. Use the final question about estimating boiling points to check that students have understood the key principles. To support this animation use a large jar half filled with chains of Popit beads of various lengths, including some single beads. Shaking the jar to represent the input of heat energy soon causes single beads to come to the surface and, if shaken vigorously enough, fly out of the top of the jar. The longer chains will always stay in the jar as they get tangled up with each other. It is good fun to get a student to shake the jar, as this increases interaction and
Or
d

r FREE Sampl You eD r e i

sc
t: 0845 0 300 400 f: 0845 0 300 200 enquiries@boardworks.co.uk www.boardworks.co.uk

Boardworks Ltd The Gallery 54 Marston Street Oxford, OX4 1LF

GCSE Science Lesson Plan

Fractional Distillation

engagement from the class. Slide 4 (free to download) provides a clear diagram introducing the laboratory equipment for fractional distillation using synthetic crude oil. A safer alternative to this demonstration, which does not produce flammable fractions, is to use crude Coca-Cola Cherry. The different fractions will all have different properties: some will contain colours, others will smell strongly of cherry, caramel or cola. These fractions are safe to be passed around the class, and provide a memorable demonstration which students can relate to a substance they are familiar with.

Fractional D

istillation, sl

ide 3

Taking it Further

As a homework or an extension activity, students could draw and label a diagram of the laboratory apparatus used for fractional distillation, using either slide 4 of the presentation, their textbook, or the internet as a source of information. Some students may wish to compare this apparatus to an industrial fractionating column.

Outcomes

The concept of fractional distillation can be difficult for students to comprehend due to the range scales of size involved. Students have to try to visualise both the tiny molecules and the way they interact, and the internal workings of enormous industrial fractionating columns. Providing good visual information, on a scale which students can access easily, is vital to maintaining their interest in a subject which can seem daunting and irrelevant. The diagrams and animations within the presentation provide students with a framework which enables them to link molecular theory and classroom demonstrations to industrial applications.
r FREE Sampl You eD r e i

Fractional D

istillation, sl

ide 4

Or

sc
t: 0845 0 300 400 f: 0845 0 300 200 enquiries@boardworks.co.uk www.boardworks.co.uk

Boardworks Ltd The Gallery 54 Marston Street Oxford, OX4 1LF