Which substance would likely be separated from a mixture using fractional distillation?

Fractional distillation is a technique used to separate components in a mixture based on differences in their boiling points. It is particularly effective in separating liquids that have close boiling points, as it allows for the more efficient separation of these components compared to simple distillation.

Kerosene is a complex mixture derived from crude oil and contains various hydrocarbons with different boiling points. During fractional distillation, the crude oil is heated, and as the temperature rises, different fractions of hydrocarbons vaporize at different temperatures. The vapors are then condensed and collected at various stages, allowing for the separation of kerosene from the other fractions, such as gasoline, diesel, or heavier oils.

In contrast, separating salt from water, sugar from water, or a dye from petals typically involves processes like evaporation or solvent extraction rather than fractional distillation. These methods are more suited for separating substances that do not have significant differences in boiling points or are in a non-liquid state, leading to the conclusion that kerosene from crude oil is the most appropriate answer for fractional distillation.