1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a ratio that describes how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume of the solution. A higher dilution factor indicates a more diluted solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor equation:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (dimensionless)
• \( V_f \) — Final volume after dilution (mL)
• \( V_i \) — Initial volume before dilution (mL)

Explanation: The equation simply divides the total volume after dilution by the original volume of the solution being diluted.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, performing serial dilutions, and calculating original concentrations from diluted samples.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both volumes in milliliters (mL). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the ratio of final to initial volume.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is dilution factor related to concentration?
A: The concentration after dilution is the original concentration divided by the dilution factor.

Q3: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is a single number (e.g., 10), while dilution ratio is typically expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:10).

Q4: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since final volume must be greater than initial volume in a dilution. A DF < 1 would indicate concentration, not dilution.

Q5: How do I perform serial dilutions using this?
A: Multiply the dilution factors of each step to get the total dilution factor (e.g., two 1:10 dilutions = 1:100 total).