Department of Chemistry, D. A. V. (P. G.) College, Deka Dun University of Roorkee, Roorkee Manuscript received 28 June 1980, accepted 10 December 1982 Several O/W emulsions with water, kerosene, turpentine and olive oil as external and internal phases and sodium dodecyl sulphate needles (SDSN, anionic surfactant), cetyl trtmethyi ammonium bromide (CTMAB, cationic surfactant) and polyoxy­ethylene sorbitan monostearate (Tween-60, nonionic surfactant) as emulsifying agents have been prepared. Physico-chemical properties like emulsion type, specific gravity, surface tension, pH, viscosity, conductivity and particle size have been studied. The emulsions of maximum stability are those which have low surface tension and specific gravity, and high conductivity, particle size and viscosity.