Water and oil don’t mix, do they?

Hand with pump spray, white mist on black background

Water and oil don't mix, do they? We'll show you here how you can mix water and oil for a short time. You'll also see that this water and oil mixture, also called an "emulsion," is white, just like milk. Is there a connection?

Before you get started

If you are experimenting at home:
1. Let your parents know and discuss the experiments with them beforehand.
2. Do not eat or drink at your workspace.
3. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after the experiment.
4. Be careful and cautious with the materials.

Graphic figure boy pouring liquid in flask

a small glass with water, a small glass with a little oil, an empty spray bottle

You will need

Approx. 20 mL water
Approx. 5 mL oil
A clean spray bottle ‏(approx. 500 mL capacity)

Let’s get started

Spray bottle being filled with water and oil

1.Fill the spray bottle

Take the spray bottle and fill the bottle with water and oil one after the other. Close the bottle carefully and shake it briefly.

Spray bottle, the content of which is sprayed in beaker with white foamy liquid.

2. Spray mist

Now spray the mixture in the spray bottle into another water glass. A white, somewhat foamy mixture is formed in the water glass. This is known as an emulsion. Over time, the emulsion changes and the water and oil separate again. The emulsion was unstable.

Milk is also an emulsion. It is also white. Because milk has other ingredients besides oil and water that stabilize the emulsion, the milk remains white and does not separate.