The substances which are added to stabilize the emulsions are called an emulsifying agent.
Explanation
What is Emulsion?
An emulsion can be defined as a colloid consisting of two or more non-homogenous types of liquids wherein one of the liquids contains the dispersion of the different forms of liquids.
Properties Of Emulsions
- Emulsions contain both continuous and dispersed, with the boundary coming between the phases that are called “interface”.
- Emulsions have a cloudy appearance due to many phase interfaces scattering light passing through the emulsions.
- Emulsions appear in white colour when the light is dispersed in equal proportions.
- If the emulsion is dilute, then higher-frequency and the low-wavelength type of light will be scattered in more fractions,
The various characteristics of emulsifiers are given below:
- They are substances that have a hydrophilic end (polar) as well as a hydrophobic end (non-polar).
- They are soluble in both water and oil.
- Emulsifiers form a layer between the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium, thereby preventing the dispersed phase particles to come together to form larger particles and separating out.
- Emulsifiers can be cationic, anionic or even non-polar.
- It is not just the percentage of water and oil that decides whether it is oil-in-water or a water-in-oil emulsion. On the other hand, it depends on which among water and oil can solvate the emulsifier to a larger extent.
- If the emulsifier is more soluble in water then the water becomes the dispersion medium and oil becomes the dispersed phase and hence we get oil in water emulsion.
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