======Oil and Water Emulsification====== **Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\ **Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\ **Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\ \\ **Categories:** {{$demo.categories}} \\ **Alternative titles:** Soap as an Emulsifier ====Summary==== {{$demo.summary}} ====Procedure==== - Fill a clear glass or flask with some water. - Add oil (or kerosene) to the water and swirl gently. Observe how the two liquids separate into layers. - Add a squirt of dishwashing detergent or liquid soap. - Swirl or shake the flask again and observe how the oil breaks into droplets suspended throughout the water. - (Optional) Add food coloring to color the water for easier visualization. ====Links==== How Does Soap Mix Oil and Water? - Thompson STEM Engagement: {{youtube>sbCODXfczCg?}}\\ Oil, Water and Dishwashing Liquid: Science Experiment - momofjoakim: {{youtube>RmB-mAMSvcQ?}}\\ 📄 Easy Emulsifier Chemistry Demonstration - Science Notes: [[https://sciencenotes.org/easy-emulsifier-chemistry-demonstration/]]\\ ====Variations==== * Use different types of oil (vegetable, olive, mineral) and compare results. * Try natural emulsifiers such as egg yolk or mustard instead of dish soap. ====Safety Precautions==== * If using kerosene, conduct the demonstration in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from flames or sparks. * Do not drink or taste any materials used. * Wash hands after handling oils, kerosene, or soap. * Clean up spills promptly to avoid slipping hazards. ====Questions to Consider==== * Why don’t oil and water normally mix? (Oil is nonpolar while water is polar, so they are immiscible.) * How does soap act as an emulsifier? (Soap molecules have both polar and nonpolar ends, allowing them to interact with both oil and water.) * Why do oil droplets remain suspended after soap is added? (The soap molecules surround the droplets, preventing them from clumping back together.) * What role do emulsifiers play in everyday life? (They help make foods like mayonnaise, salad dressings, and ice cream, and aid cleaning by suspending oils and dirt in water.)