The solution "head" dissolves in the water and the mixing "tail" dissolves in the oil.

or

The mixing "head" dissolves in the water and the solution "tail" dissolves in the oil.

which one is right?

thank you for your time!

I remember doing one of these experiments in a colloid chemistry class I took 60 years ago but the nomenclature was a little different then. I have looked on the Internet and can't find anything definitive. Perhaps if you told a little about the procedure etc I could figure it out.

To determine which statement is correct, we need to assess the solubilities of the components in water and oil.

In the first statement, it says that the solution "head" dissolves in the water and the mixing "tail" dissolves in the oil. This means that the "head" component is soluble in water, while the "tail" component is soluble in oil.

In the second statement, it says that the mixing "head" dissolves in the water and the solution "tail" dissolves in the oil. This means that the "head" component is soluble in water, while the "tail" component is soluble in oil.

Both statements seem to be contradictory. The "head" component cannot dissolve in both water and oil at the same time. Therefore, it seems like there might be some confusion or a misinterpretation in one of the statements.

To get a definitive answer, you may need to consult the original source of the information or seek clarification from the person who made these statements.