1. What is Dilution Factor?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume in a dilution process. It indicates how much a solution has been diluted and is fundamental in various laboratory and industrial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times the original solution has been diluted by comparing the final volume to the initial volume.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor Calculation

Details: Accurate dilution factor calculation is crucial for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, performing serial dilutions, and ensuring experimental reproducibility in chemistry, biology, and medical laboratories.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both final volume and initial volume in mL. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the dilution factor.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 1 mean?
A: A dilution factor of 1 means no dilution occurred - the final volume equals the initial volume.

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

Q3: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since final volume cannot be less than initial volume in a dilution, DF is always ≥1.

Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is V_f/V_i, while dilution ratio is typically expressed as 1:DF (e.g., 1:10 for DF=10).

Q5: How do I calculate serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the dilution factors of each step to get the overall dilution factor.