Emulsions

An emulsion is a system of two immiscible liquids (liquids that cannot be mixed together to form a true solution) that appears to be a completely homogenous mixture but is in fact what is known as a two-phase system, having a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. When mixed to combine, one of the liquids breaks up into minute droplets (dispersed phase) and the other remains as a matrix for the droplets to be dispersed in (continuous phase).

There are two types of emulsions, temporary and permanent. A temporary emulsion is one that will separate into two distinct layers in a short period of time. In a permanent emulsion, the two liquids do not separate as easily because of the presence of a third element, known as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers are naturally occurring substances that are attracted to both fat and water and thus facilitate maintaining a stable emulsion between two immiscible liquids.