If the distillation is performed in full as described in the experimental procedure (including the redistillations of fractions 1 and 3), the number of theoretical plates obtained overall is . Group of answer choices

a. 4

b. 0

c. 1

d. 2

a. 4

Explanation:

The number of theoretical plates is the number of discrete distillations that would have to be performed to obtain an equivalent separation of a discrete plate. This number is commonly used as a measure of separation efficiency and is a useful when comparing the performance of various chromatographic columns.

One theoretical plate is equivalent to one vaporization-condensation cycle, which is equivalent to one simple distillation. Thus a fractionation column that can attain the equivalent of three simple distillations would be said to have three theoretical plates.