Distillation is a process used to separate mixtures based on differences in boiling points. It involves heating a liquid to create vapor and then cooling that vapor back into a liquid. This method is commonly used to purify liquids or to separate components in a mixture, such as in the production of alcohol or essential oils. In a typical distillation setup, a mixture is placed in a container called a distillation flask. As the mixture heats up, the component with the lower boiling point evaporates first. The vapor travels through a cooling tube, where it condenses back into a liquid, allowing for the collection of the purified substance.