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Total Dilution Factor Formula:
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A dilution of a dilution occurs when a previously diluted solution undergoes further dilution. This is common in laboratory settings where serial dilutions are performed to achieve very low concentrations of a substance.
The calculator uses the dilution factor multiplication formula:
Where:
Explanation: When performing sequential dilutions, the total dilution factor is the product of all individual dilution factors in the series.
Details: Accurate calculation of total dilution factor is crucial for determining the final concentration of a solution after multiple dilution steps, which is essential in various scientific and medical applications including microbiology, chemistry, and pharmaceutical preparations.
Tips: Enter both dilution factors as positive numbers. The dilution factor represents the ratio of final volume to initial volume (e.g., 1:10 dilution = DF of 10).
Q1: What is a dilution factor?
A: A dilution factor represents how many times a solution has been diluted. It's calculated as the ratio of final volume to the volume of the original solution added.
Q2: How do I calculate individual dilution factors?
A: For a single dilution, DF = (volume of solvent + volume of solute) / volume of solute, or more simply, DF = final volume / initial volume.
Q3: Can this calculator handle more than two dilutions?
A: This calculator handles two sequential dilutions. For more dilutions, you would multiply all individual dilution factors together (DF_total = DF₁ × DF₂ × DF₃ × ...).
Q4: What if I have the concentration instead of dilution factor?
A: If you know initial and final concentrations, dilution factor = initial concentration / final concentration.
Q5: Are there any limitations to this calculation?
A: This calculation assumes perfect mixing and no chemical interactions that might affect concentration beyond simple dilution. It also assumes dilution factors are accurately measured.