0
Oil and water do not mix when detergent is added. What really happens is that (in the usual case) the detergent (which has "oil-like" and "water-like" parts to each molecule) causes the oil to disperse through the water in tiny droplets which have the detergent on the surface of the droplets, making them much more stable than tiny droplets of oil would be in water.
The detergent is usually charged, which makes the droplets repel each other, preventing the tiny oil droplets from reuniting into larger droplets, which is what happens if you vigorously shake an oil water mixture, like salad dressing - that's why oil and vinegar salad dressing has to be used right after preparation.
Oil, water, and detergent is still not a true mixture, since the oil and the water are not really "mixed" in the true sense of the word, but they appear mixed to the eye since the oil particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
There is one more requirement for this apparent "mixing" after adding detergent: there has to be a LOT more water or a LOT more oil in the mixture. You can't make an apparent mixture of a 50:50 blend of oil and water by adding detergent, for example.
This means that you can have tiny droplets of water surrounded by detergent in a large amount of oil as well as the more usual case outlined above. That is called a "reverse emulsion" while the more common case above is a "simple emulsion."
It's also the reason why detergent is effective to clean clothes. It "emulsifies" the oils (which soiled clothes are contaminated with) allowing them to be flushed away.
Zentrails
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why is cornstarch and water an emulsion?
An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquids. Cornstarch is a solid and this mixture is a suspension.
How suspension differs from emulsion?
Emulsion: a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids Suspension: a liquid containing insoluble solid particles A suspension can be separated and does not mix togehter, but emulsion does.
What is a suspension vs liquid?
A suspension can be separated and does not mix together, but emulsion does mix together. A suspension can be separated but an emulsion cannot be separated.Emulsion: The mixture of substance is in one phase , so they can not be separated mechanically. Eg: ShampooSuspension: The mixture of suspension is not in one phase , so they can be separated mechanically.eg: Mixture of oil& water.
What is mixture of water and nondissolved substance?
A mixture of water and a non-dissolved material is a suspension. Examples of suspensions include muddy water, sand in water, chalk in water, oil and water, and other mixtures such as this.
What gives the cloudy white emulsion?
Oil in water emulsion.
Why is cornstarch and water an emulsion?
An emulsion is a mixture of two immiscible liquids. Cornstarch is a solid and this mixture is a suspension.
What type of colloid is formed when oil and water are mixed with alittle detergent?
Emulsion
Is salt water a colloid emulsion solution or suspension?
No. A colloid is a suspension of solid particles in a liquid medium. Salt is not suspended in water, it dissolves.
Is double cream is a suspension solution or emulsion?
colliod
Is butter an emulsion or gel?
In most cases it is a suspension, sometimes an emulsion, or even a gel is possible combined with emulsion. So in short: it's a rather complex texture
What are the purposes of emulsifying agents in emulsion?
To allow suspended solids to remain in suspension. Emulsion paint for example contains fine particles of pigment in suspension in water. The emulsifying agent prevents the pigments settling to the bottom.
Equipment used to disperse emulsion and suspension-type formulations should never be flushed with?
Water
How suspension differs from emulsion?
Emulsion: a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids Suspension: a liquid containing insoluble solid particles A suspension can be separated and does not mix togehter, but emulsion does.
What is a suspension vs liquid?
A suspension can be separated and does not mix together, but emulsion does mix together. A suspension can be separated but an emulsion cannot be separated.Emulsion: The mixture of substance is in one phase , so they can not be separated mechanically. Eg: ShampooSuspension: The mixture of suspension is not in one phase , so they can be separated mechanically.eg: Mixture of oil& water.
Can a liquid not dissolve in a liquid?
If they are immiscable, they can not mutually dissolve - think of oil and water. You can shake them up to make an emulsion, but they will then separate unless you have some kind of binding agent to hold the emulsion/suspension.
What is mixture of water and nondissolved substance?
A mixture of water and a non-dissolved material is a suspension. Examples of suspensions include muddy water, sand in water, chalk in water, oil and water, and other mixtures such as this.
How is tide laundry detergent a solvent?
It isn't really. Water is the solvent when you are washing clothes. The ingredients in the detergent help the dirt into solution or suspension in various different ways.
