The Dilution Factor Calculator helps determine how much a solution has been diluted by calculating the ratio between the initial stock solution and the final total volume after adding a diluent. This tool is essential in laboratories, medical testing, chemistry, and industrial applications where accurate dilution is required.
By using this calculator, researchers, scientists, and students can quickly determine how much diluent is needed to achieve the desired concentration, ensuring precise results in experiments and formulations.
Formula
The formula to calculate the dilution factor is:
Dilution Factor = (Final Total Volume) / (Initial Stock Volume)
where:
- Volume of Stock Solution is the amount of the concentrated solution before dilution.
- Volume of Diluent is the amount of solvent (diluent) add to dilute the stock solution.
- Final Total Volume is the total volume of the solution after dilution.
For serial dilutions, where multiple dilution steps are perform, the overall dilution factor is calculated as:
Total Dilution Factor = Dilution Factor 1 × Dilution Factor 2 × ... × Dilution Factor n
Dilution Ratio Interpretation:
- A 1:10 dilution means 1 part stock + 9 parts diluent.
- A 1:5 dilution means 1 part stock + 4 parts diluent.
Understanding dilution factors is critical in laboratory settings to ensure proper solution concentrations for testing and analysis.
General Dilution Factor Table
The table below provides commonly used dilution factors and their corresponding stock-to-diluent ratios.
| Dilution Factor | Stock Solution (Parts) | Diluent (Parts) | Final Volume (Total Parts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1:5 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 1:10 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
| 1:50 | 1 | 49 | 50 |
| 1:100 | 1 | 99 | 100 |
This table helps users quickly determine dilution amounts without performing calculations manually.
Example
Suppose a lab technician needs to prepare a 1:10 dilution using 5 mL of a stock solution. The required diluent volume can be determine as follows:
Using the dilution formula:
Dilution Factor = (Final Total Volume) / (Initial Stock Volume)
10 = (Final Volume) / 5
Final Volume = 50 mL
To achieve this dilution, the technician must add:
Diluent Volume = Final Volume - Initial Stock Volume
= 50 - 5
= 45 mL of diluent
This means adding 5 mL of stock solution to 45 mL of diluent results in a 1:10 diluted solution.
Most Common FAQs
A dilution factor helps determine the concentration of a solution after dilution, ensuring accurate measurements in experiments, medical testing, and industrial applications.
The final concentration can be determine using:
Final Concentration = Initial Concentration / Dilution Factor
Yes, serial dilutions involve multiple dilution steps, making it easier to reach very low concentrations while maintaining accuracy.