1. What is the Dilution Formula?

The dilution formula \( C1 \times V1 = C2 \times V2 \) describes the relationship between concentrations and volumes before and after a dilution. It's based on the principle of conservation of mass, where the amount of solute remains constant before and after dilution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution equation:

Where:

• \( C1 \) — Initial concentration (mol/L)
• \( V1 \) — Initial volume (L)
• \( C2 \) — Final concentration (mol/L)
• \( V2 \) — Final volume (L)

Explanation: The calculator solves for whichever variable is left blank (or zero), using the other three known values.

3. Importance of Dilution Calculations

Details: Accurate dilution calculations are essential in chemistry, biology, medicine, and many industrial processes for preparing solutions of desired concentrations from stock solutions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any three known values (leaving one field blank or zero), and the calculator will compute the missing value. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses mol/L for concentration and L for volume by default, but any consistent units will work as long as C1 and C2 use the same units, and V1 and V2 use the same units.

Q2: Can I use this for serial dilutions?
A: Yes, but you'll need to calculate each dilution step separately. The formula applies to single dilution steps.

Q3: Does this work for percent solutions?
A: Yes, as long as the concentration units are consistent (e.g., % w/v for both C1 and C2).

Q4: What if I need to convert between units?
A: Convert all values to consistent units before calculation. The calculator doesn't handle unit conversions.

Q5: How precise are the results?
A: Results are rounded to 4 decimal places. For laboratory work, consider the precision of your measurements.