What is the role of heat in the distillation process?

In the distillation process, heat is essential because it provides the energy required for the liquid mixture to evaporate. When a mixture is heated, the components with lower boiling points will convert into vapor first, as they require less energy to overcome intermolecular forces. This phase change from liquid to vapor allows for the separation of components based on their boiling points. The vapor can then be collected and condensed back into liquid form, resulting in a purified distillate. This principle is fundamental to distillation, making the role of heat in facilitating evaporation crucial for effectively separating and isolating desired substances from a mixture.