What is a common characteristic of emulsions?

Emulsions are characterized by the presence of one liquid being dispersed in another immiscible liquid. This means that in an emulsion, tiny droplets of one liquid are suspended throughout another liquid, which does not dissolve it. The typical examples of emulsions include mixtures like oil and water, where oil droplets are distributed throughout the water, creating a uniform appearance.

The stability of emulsions usually requires the presence of emulsifiers, which help to keep the two liquids from separating. This characteristic is crucial in various applications, especially within the fields of skincare and cosmetics, where emulsions are often used in creams and lotions to blend oils and water.

While emulsions can sometimes appear homogeneous to the naked eye, they are technically not homogeneous mixtures at the molecular level, and they are not always clear solutions. Instead, the presence of dispersed droplets can create opacity or cloudiness in the mixture, which further distinguishes emulsions from clear solutions.