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Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
Why is my liquid-liquid extraction milky?
Accepted Answer
A milky appearance in a liquid-liquid extraction often indicates the formation of an emulsion. This happens when the two liquids, usually water and an organic solvent, don't separate cleanly due to factors like:
High surface tension: The interface between the liquids has a high surface tension, making it difficult for droplets to coalesce.
Presence of surfactants: Impurities or components in the mixture can act as surfactants, stabilizing the emulsion.
Vigorous shaking: Excessively vigorous shaking can create tiny droplets that are hard to separate.
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