Surfactants are substances that perform which of the following functions?

Surfactants are compounds that significantly enhance the ability of mixtures to combine, particularly oil and water, which usually do not mix well due to their differing polarities. By reducing the surface tension between oil and water, surfactants facilitate emulsification, allowing for a stable mixture. This property is particularly valuable in applications involving pesticides, as it enables the active ingredients, which are often oil-based, to be evenly distributed in a water solution, enhancing effectiveness.

The other choices, while they may relate to functions of various agents in pesticide formulations or application processes, do not accurately describe the primary role of surfactants. For example, while certain additives can influence toxicity, surfactants primarily serve a mixing function. Similarly, while surfactants can assist with the application and effectiveness of solid particles, their main role is not as carriers. Lastly, while stabilizing liquid formulations is important in pesticide development, it typically pertains to other formulation types rather than directly describing the core function of surfactants.