Which of the following is characteristic of an oil in water type of emulsion 

Options

A. both oil and water are dispersed phases
B. water is dispersed phase
C. both oil and water are dispersion media
D. oil is dispersed phase

Answer

To solve the question regarding the characteristics of an oil in water type of emulsion, we need to understand the definitions of dispersed phase and dispersion medium. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand the Definitions
- **Dispersed Phase**: This is the phase that is scattered or present in the form of colloidal particles. In an emulsion, this is the substance that is dispersed throughout another substance.
- **Dispersion Medium**: This is the medium in which the colloidal particles are dispersed. It acts as the continuous phase.

### Step 2: Identify the Components of Oil in Water Emulsion
- In an oil in water emulsion, oil is the dispersed phase, while water is the dispersion medium. This means that tiny droplets of oil are dispersed throughout the water.

### Step 3: Analyze the Options
1. **Both oil and water are dispersed phases**: This is incorrect because in an oil in water emulsion, only oil is the dispersed phase.
2. **Water is the dispersed phase**: This is incorrect because water acts as the dispersion medium, not the dispersed phase.
3. **Both oil and water are dispersion media**: This is incorrect because only water acts as the dispersion medium in this type of emulsion.
4. **Oil is the dispersed phase**: This is correct because in an oil in water emulsion, oil is indeed the dispersed phase.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the options, the correct characteristic of an oil in water type of emulsion is that **oil is the dispersed phase**.

### Final Answer
**The correct answer is: Oil is the dispersed phase.**

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