Indiana Pesticide Applicator Core Practice Exam

Which mixture occurs when one liquid is dispersed in another liquid?

1. Solution

2. Suspension

3. Emulsion

4. Solvent

The correct answer is: Emulsion

An emulsion occurs when one liquid is dispersed in another liquid, which is often the case with substances that are immiscible, meaning they do not mix together naturally. Emulsions are stabilized by emulsifying agents, which help to keep the dispersed droplets suspended and prevent them from coalescing. Common examples include oil and water mixtures, such as mayonnaise or vinaigrette dressings. In contrast, a solution involves a solute completely dissolving in a solvent, creating a homogeneous mixture at the molecular level, where the components are not individually distinguishable. A suspension, on the other hand, consists of solid particles dispersed in a liquid, which can eventually settle out over time. Finally, the term solvent refers to the component in a solution that is present in the largest amount and does the dissolving but does not specifically pertain to the mixing of liquids. Hence, the term that accurately describes the dispersion of one liquid in another is an emulsion.