Which term denotes the final breakdown of an emulsion where phases separate completely?

• A. Creaming
• B. Breaking
• C. Coalescence
• D. Flocculation

Answer: (B)

Final breakdown of an emulsion into distinct immiscible layers is called breaking. When the stabilizing film around droplets fails, droplets merge (coalesce) and the system separates into two phases, such as oil and water. This is different from creaming, where droplets rise or fall due to density differences but the emulsion remains intact and can be re-mixed. Coalescence describes droplets merging to form larger droplets within the emulsion, which is a step toward breaking but isn’t the final separation by itself. Flocculation involves droplets aggregating without merging into larger droplets or fully separating, so the emulsion structure is still present.