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Use of the apparatus for fractional distillation shown in Figure 4 of the article “Learning in Chemistry with Virtual Laboratories” (1, p 349) would be very likely to cause an explosion because the apparatus shown has no vent. Also, in my experience, ring stands (or racks) and clamps should be included in apparatus diagrams if students are to learn to assemble safe, sturdy setups. Being vertical is a very important factor in the performance of fractionating columns, and a plumb line should be used in setting up a column. In a column that is not perfectly vertical, the liquid that condenses simply runs down the low side instead of being redistilled repeatedly. Literature Cited- Martínez-Jiménez, P.; Pones-Pedrajas, A.; Climent-Bellido, M. S.; Polo, J. J. Chem. Educ. 2003, 80, 346–352.
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