6.3 Everyday Emulsions Flashcards
What is an emulsion?
A mixture of liquids that do not dissolve in each other, like oil and water
How can we make a temporary emulsion?
Shaking, stirring, or beating the liquids together so tiny droplets form that can be slow to separate
How translucent are emulsions?
They are opaque
Describe the texture of an oil and water emulsion
Thicker than the oil and water they are made from
What does an emulsion improve?
- their texture
- their appearance
- their ability to coat and stick on solids
Give 3 examples of food emulsions
- milk
- cream
- salad dressings
- mayonnaise
- ice cream
Give 3 examples of non food emulsions
- face cream
- body lotion
- lipstick
- lipgloss
- water based paints
How can you recognise an emulsion?
- opaque
- thick texture
- coats solids
What are emulsifiers?
Substances that help stop the oil and water separating into layers
Why do most emulsions contain emulsifiers?
To keep the emulsion stable
Name the 2 parts of the emulsifiers
- hydrophilic head
* hydrophobic tail
What does it mean if a molecule has a hydrophilic head?
The head is attracted to water
What does it mean if a molecule has a hydrophobic tail?
It’s tail is attracted to oil
What do emulsifier molecules do in order to keep the drops of the emulsion from separating?
The hydrophobic tails all enter an oil droplet, so the droplets circumference has become surrounded by hydrophilic heads. This keeps the oil droplets in the water without separating
What is the dispersed phase of an emulsion?
The non dominant phase in which the oil and water are spread out
