1. What is Serial Dilution?

Serial dilution is the stepwise dilution of a substance in solution. It's commonly used in microbiology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry to reduce a dense culture of cells to a more usable concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the serial dilution formula:

Where:

• \( C_{next} \) — Concentration after dilution
• \( C_{prev} \) — Concentration before dilution
• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (e.g., 10-fold dilution)

Explanation: Each step divides the previous concentration by the dilution factor to get the new concentration.

3. Importance of Serial Dilution

Details: Serial dilutions are essential for creating standard curves, determining unknown concentrations, and preparing samples for analysis within the detection range of instruments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the initial concentration in μg/mL, the dilution factor (e.g., 2 for 1:2 dilution), and the number of dilution steps needed. The calculator will show the concentration at each step.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical dilution factor?
A: Common dilution factors are 2, 5, or 10, but can be any value greater than 1 depending on the application.

Q2: How do I choose the number of dilutions?
A: It depends on your target concentration range. More dilutions create a wider range of concentrations.

Q3: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, as long as you're consistent. The calculator shows μg/mL but any concentration unit will work.

Q4: What's the difference between serial and parallel dilution?
A: Serial dilution uses the output of one dilution as input for the next, while parallel dilutions are all made from the original stock.

Q5: How precise are these calculations?
A: The math is exact, but real-world precision depends on your pipetting technique and equipment.