What is the process of separating volatile substances by heating and cooling known as?

The process of separating volatile substances by heating and cooling is known as distillation. This method involves heating a liquid to create vapor, which is then cooled to revert to a liquid state. The differing boiling points of the substances allow for effective separation. During distillation, the more volatile component vaporizes first, and upon cooling, it condenses back into a liquid, separate from the less volatile substances that remain in the original mixture.

This technique is widely used in various industries, including chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, and the production of alcoholic beverages, where it is essential to concentrate or purify different components of a mixture. The effectiveness of distillation relies on the physical property of volatility, making it a critical process in both laboratory and industrial settings.