1. What is Dilution Factor?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is a dimensionless number that represents how much a solution has been diluted. It's the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume of the solute.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (dimensionless)
• \( V_{solute} \) — Volume of original solute (mL)
• \( V_{diluent} \) — Volume of diluent added (mL)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times the original solution has been diluted by adding the diluent.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory work, pharmaceutical preparations, and chemical analysis to achieve desired concentrations while maintaining accuracy.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter volumes in mL. Both values must be positive numbers, with solute volume greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a DF of 1 mean?
A: A DF of 1 means no dilution has occurred (no diluent added).

Q2: How is DF related to concentration?
A: Final concentration = Initial concentration / DF. Higher DF means greater dilution.

Q3: Can DF be less than 1?
A: No, DF is always ≥1 since you can't have negative volumes and must have some solute.

Q4: What's the difference between DF and dilution ratio?
A: DF is the total volume factor, while dilution ratio is typically expressed as solute:diluent (e.g., 1:9).

Q5: How to do serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the DFs of each step to get the total DF.