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 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 final volume by the initial volume to determine how many times the original solution has been diluted.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, in medical applications for preparing medications, and in various biological and chemical experiments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both initial and final volumes in mL. The final volume must be greater than or equal to the initial volume. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 1 mean?
A: A DF of 1 means no dilution has occurred (Vf = Vi).

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

Q3: Can the dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since Vf must be ≥ Vi in a dilution, DF is always ≥ 1.

Q4: How do serial dilutions affect the total dilution factor?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the individual dilution factors to get the total DF.

Q5: What's the difference between dilution factor and fold dilution?
A: They are essentially the same - a 10-fold dilution means DF = 10.