1. What is Dilution Factor?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the total volume of a solution to the volume of the original sample. It indicates how much a sample has been diluted in a solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Dilution Factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution Factor (dimensionless)
• \( V_{total} \) — Total volume of the solution (mL)
• \( V_{sample} \) — Volume of the original sample (mL)

Explanation: The formula calculates how many times the original sample has been diluted by comparing the total volume to the sample volume.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor Calculation

Details: Accurate dilution factor calculation is crucial in various scientific and laboratory applications, including chemistry, biology, and medical testing. It helps in determining the concentration of diluted solutions and ensuring accurate experimental results.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total volume and sample volume in mL. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the dilution factor as a dimensionless quantity.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is dilution factor related to concentration?
A: The dilution factor is inversely proportional to concentration. A higher dilution factor means a more diluted solution with lower concentration.

Q3: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since total volume cannot be less than sample volume, dilution factor is always ≥1.

Q4: What units are used for dilution factor?
A: Dilution factor is dimensionless - it has no units as it represents a ratio of volumes.

Q5: How is dilution factor used in practical applications?
A: It's used to calculate original concentrations from diluted samples, prepare standard solutions, and in various analytical techniques where sample dilution is required.