Question

What is observed when an emulsion is centrifuged?

Answer 1

An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids usually immiscible due to a separation of the liquid-liquid phase. A centrifuge is a laboratory tool which we use for the separation of gas or liquid, fluids, based on the density.

Complete step by step answer:
When an emulsion is made to centrifuge, it is subjected to high centrifugal force. The revolutions take place at very high speeds. This results in the separation of demulsifying of the two immiscible liquids. The liquid which has lower weight or is less dense gets separated and starts to float and the liquid which is denser goes down.
We can take the example of a mixture of oil and water which forms an emulsion. When the emulsion of oil and water is subjected to centrifugation, the two liquids get separated. The water stays at the bottom and the oil stays on the top. The layer of the phospholipid gets separated in the process and it will appear in between the oily and the aqueous phases.

Additional Information:
The advantages of emulsion are; it gives potential for the rapid polymerisation to yield or produce high molecular weight polymers having lower polydispersity. The viscosity of polymer emulsion is lower than the straight polymer in melt phase. It is easier to process but it may also produce polymers which are extremely sticky as 100% polymer. The Final product from the reactor can easily be removed due to lower viscosity.
The disadvantages of emulsion are polymer can be easily contaminated with the traces of the emulsifier. This leads to poor transparency. In the final stage coagulation and the removal of the aqueous phase takes place. This generates a very large amount of water.

Note:
Students may get confused on the term emulsion and suspension. Both emulsion and suspension is a heterogeneous mixture. The difference between both is that,in emulsion both the phases has to be liquid, but in suspension, it is not necessary for both the phases to be in liquid state.