Which of the following statements about distillation is true?

The correct statement is that distillation can be used to purify compounds. Distillation is a separation technique that takes advantage of the differences in boiling points of components in a mixture. By heating a liquid mixture, the component with the lower boiling point vaporizes first. This vapor can then be cooled and condensed back into a liquid, effectively separating it from the other components in the mixture. This process not only separates components but also allows purification, as the distillation can remove impurities that have higher boiling points or do not vaporize as easily.

Choosing this statement reflects an understanding of the practical applications of distillation, particularly in the refinement and purification of various chemical substances, including hydrocarbons found in crude oil. Distillation is crucial in producing high-purity chemical products for use in various industries.