1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a ratio that describes how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the factor by which the original solution has been diluted to obtain the final solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( C_{initial} \) — Initial concentration (M)
• \( C_{final} \) — Final concentration (M)
• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (dimensionless)

Explanation: The dilution factor is simply the ratio of the initial concentration to the final concentration after dilution.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Knowing the dilution factor is essential in laboratory work for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, performing serial dilutions, and calculating actual concentrations from diluted samples.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both initial and final concentrations in molarity (M). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the dilution factor.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A DF of 10 means the original solution was diluted 10-fold (1 part solution + 9 parts diluent).

Q2: How is dilution factor related to dilution ratio?
A: Dilution ratio expresses the parts of solute to total parts (e.g., 1:10), while DF is the inverse of the dilution ratio's second number.

Q3: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since it's calculated as initial/final concentration, DF should always be ≥1 (final concentration ≤ initial).

Q4: How to prepare a solution with specific DF?
A: Mix 1 volume of stock solution with (DF-1) volumes of diluent (e.g., DF=5 → 1 part stock + 4 parts diluent).

Q5: What if my DF isn't a whole number?
A: Use precise volumetric measurements (pipettes, flasks) to achieve non-integer dilution factors accurately.