destructive distillation

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Destructive Distillation

Definition: Destructive distillation is a process where a solid substance is heated in a closed container without oxygen. This heating causes the solid to break down into simpler substances, and the gases produced during this process are collected.

Explanation for New Learners:

Imagine you have a piece of wood. If you heat it up in a container where there is no air, the wood will start to change. It can turn into charcoal, gases, and other materials. This process of heating the wood without letting air in is what we call destructive distillation.

Usage Instructions:

• Destructive distillation is often used in chemistry, industry, and manufacturing.
• You can use the term when discussing processes that involve heating materials to extract useful products.

Example:

• "In the laboratory, the scientists used destructive distillation to convert coal into gas and charcoal."

Advanced Usage:

In industrial settings, destructive distillation can be applied to materials like coal to produce coke, which is used in metal production. It’s also important in making products like tar and gases that can be used for fuel.

Word Variants:

• Destructive (adjective): Causing damage; for example, "The storm had destructive effects on the town."
• Distillation (noun): The process of heating a liquid to create vapor and then cooling it to get back the liquid; for example, "The distillation of water can purify it."

Different Meanings:

• Destructive: Related to causing harm or damage.
• Distillation: A method of purifying liquids by heating and cooling.

Synonyms:

• Pyrolysis (a similar process where organic materials are broken down by heat)
• Thermal decomposition (the breakdown of a substance by heat)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "destructive distillation," but you might use phrases that reflect change or transformation, such as: - "Turn up the heat" (to intensify a situation) - "Break down" (to simplify something)

Conclusion:

Destructive distillation is a scientific method that involves heating solid materials to create useful gases and other products. It is important in many fields, including chemistry and industry.

Academic

Noun

1. heating a solid substance in a closed container and collecting the volatile products