Like Oil And Vinegar

4.4 based on 43 ratings

Updated on May 05, 2014

Grade Level: 2nd - 4th; Type: Chemistry


To investigate emulsifiers that allow oil and vinegar to mix.

Research Questions

  • Why don’t oil and vinegar mix?
  • How do emulsifiers work to make oil and vinegar work?
  • What are emulsifiers?



  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • measuring cups
  • 2 jars with lids
  • egg
  • water
  • paper
  • pencil

Experimental Procedure

  1. Gather the necessary materials.
  2. Add ½ cup of vegetable oil and ½ cup of vinegar to each jar. Put the lids on the jars and shake them. Record what happens.
  3. Separate the white of the egg from the yolk. Put the yolk in one jar of oil and vinegar and the white of the egg in the other jar. Again replace the lids and shake. Record the results.
  4. Analyze the data and draw a conclusion.

Terms/Concepts: emulsifier: a compound that keeps oil and vinegar together compound: a pure substance made up of two or more elements immiscible: not able to mix; Emulsifiers are compounds that cause immiscible substances such as oil and vinegar to mix.


“Making an Emulsion” at “Emulsifiers” at “The Perfect Mixture: Emulsifiers Make Our Food Enjoyable” at


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