Fractionating column looks more “unnecessary” since the separation technique here is filtration.

The glass rod is for stirring.

thx :) is the glass rod usually necessary for most reactions?

If we are doing a reaction, and it proceeds to completion without the need for dissolving (i.e stirring to disperse a clump of solid particles as well as t provide mechanical energy to help dissolve, such as in the case of sodium chloride), or even mixing, then you don't really need a glass rod.

For stirring, you could use a magnetic stir bar and place it the flask on a magnetic stirrer. The magnetism will cause the stir bar to spin and help to stir the mixture.


But the concept here is separation.

For paper filtration, the glass rod is not only used for stirring to dissolve the sodium carbonate in water.

It is also used to help direct and guide the suspension/solution onto the middle of the filter paper to minimise spillage

(Without a rod, there is a risk of tipping the beaker too quickly, causing a sudden sloshing of the liquid and spilling)

The idea is that the suspension/solution will flow along the sides of the rod and fall onto the filter paper.

The obvious answer here is fractionating column.

thx :)