Fat/Oil + Sodium\, Hydroxide \rightarrow Soap + Glycerol\) Fats and oils are ... This suspension of small grease droplets in water is called an emulsion. Detergents are a family of compounds ...

But what the heck is it, really? Great question. Sounds like a job for The Interpreter. The word: Emulsion (eh-mull-shun). Its origin: The Latin verb “emulgere,” which translates roughly to “milk out.

A mixture of oil and water is a good example of an emulsion. It is not uncommon for ... water from separating (and thus the food spoiling), soap-like chemicals called emulsifiers are added.