What are emulsions? What are their different types? Give example of each type.

Emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids in which one is present as droplets, of microscopic or
ultramicroscopic size, distributed throughout the other. Emulsions are formed from the component liquids
either spontaneously or, more often, by mechanical means, such as agitation, provided that the liquids that are
mixed have no (or a very limited) mutual solubility.
There are two basic types of emulsions: oil-in-water (O/W)-cream
and water-in-oil (W/O). -butter

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (nonviable or unbendable). It
means that in an emulsion the dispersed phase and dispersion medium are both liquids.

There are two basic type of emulsions: oil in water and water in oil.

In every emulsion there is a continuous phase (dispersion medium) that suspends the droplets of the other
element which is called the dispersed phase.

(i) Oil-in-water emulsions (O/W) : The emulsion in which oil is present as the dispersed phase and water as the
dispersion medium (continuous phase) is called an oil-in-water emulsion. Milk is an example of the oil-in-
water type of emulsion. In milk liquid fat globules are dispersed in water. Other examples are, vanishing cream
etc.
ii) Water-in-oil emulsion (W/O) : The emulsion in which water forms the dispersed phase, and the oil acts as
the dispersion medium is called a water-in-oil emulsion. These emulsion are also termed oil emulsions. Butter
and cold cream are typical examples of this types of emulsions. Other examples are cod liver oil etc.