It is in Latin that we can find the etymological origin of the term emulsion that concerns us now. Exactly it is the result of the sum of several lexical components of said language such as the following:
-The prefix «ex-«, which means «outwards».
-The verb "mulsus", which can be translated as "milk"
-The suffix "-sion", which is used to indicate "action and effect."
Based on all of the above, we can point out that emulsion means "a mixture of liquids that are not naturally soluble in each other."
In the field of chemistry, the dispersion of one fluid in another with which it cannot mix is called an emulsion.
For an emulsion to be generated, therefore, two liquids that are not miscible (mixable) are needed. When both substances are combined, one of them disperses in the other, obtaining a result with a certain homogeneity . A typical example of an emulsion is the combination of oil and water.
In the context of cooking , in fact, emulsions are quite common. Mayonnaise , also known as mayonnaise , is an emulsion that is formed by beating oil and egg, also adding other ingredients such as lemon juice and salt.
Another popular emulsion is pink sauce or cocktail sauce , basically composed of mayonnaise and ketchup (although you can add cognac, orange juice or other products ).
Emulsions can be formed in different ways. In some cases, the particles of its components melt and give rise to a type of layer. In other situations, particles may concentrate in a specific location in the mixture (such as the bottom or surface) or even develop a mass .
In the field of photography , on the other hand, an emulsion is called a suspension of silver bromide in gelatin that constitutes the layer of photographic material that is sensitive to light. Photographic emulsions imply that crystals that are sensitive to luminosity are distributed throughout the gelatin in question.
In addition to everything indicated, we cannot ignore the existence of what is known as epicutaneous emulsion. Under this name is the mixture of sweat, sebum and dead cells that cover the skin.
Specifically, there are two types of epicutaneous emulsion depending on the type of skin in question. Thus, first of all, we come across the so-called O/A, where it is established that there is more water than oil, which is what occurs in normal, dry, non-oily or dehydrated skin, for example.
Secondly, there is the so-called A/O, which indicates that there is more oil than water. Specifically, it appears in combination, oily and occluded fat skin.
Likewise, there are so-called asphalt emulsions that are the result of mixing water and asphalt. They turn out to be odorless, they are poured at less than 100º and it should be noted that they can be used as waterproofing covers.