SWIM who is new to chemistry recently performed a distillation of an essential oil in a dream and in that dream he keep notes of all the temperatures, times. One of the confusing parts of that dream was determining what temperature they were looking for that is commonly referred to by other bees.
SWIM noticed that using a 29" vacuum their essential oil came over at and showed a thermometer reading of 61C. The oil bath had a range of 109C - 120C with no change on the thermometer temperature. SWIM now believes after this experiment that the temperature other bee are referring to is the thermometer temperature when they are referring to the temperature their distillation came over at. If SWIM is wrong please advise. SWIM has a question though, is it normal for the oil bath temperature to be able to fluctuate 10-15C without affecting the distillation temperature.
Second, When performing an Rxn and one is to hold the temperature to 104C, what temperature is watched? Is it the internal temperature of the mixture? If so what is the best way to measure that temperature? Can a thermometer be used and left in the Rxn? Also, Is the internal temperature hotter than the oil bath temperature?
SWIM has searched TFSE extensively and has learned allot but really needs someone to clarify these silly question.
Thanks