What happens when you add detergent to an oily pot?

If you have oil on the surface of a dirty pot and you add washing up liquid, why is it that all the oil shoots to the side?
28 May 2006

Question

If you have oil on the surface of a dirty pot and you add washing up liquid, why is it that all the oil shoots to the side?

Answer

Well it's exactly the same as what you heard in Kitchen Science this evening. The washing up liquid disrupts the surface tension and makes the oil shoot across your pot.

Comments

Add a comment