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Dilution Factor Formula:
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The Dilution Factor (DF) is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of the final volume to the original sample volume. It indicates how many times a sample has been diluted and is crucial for accurate concentration calculations in various scientific and laboratory applications.
The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the factor by which the original sample concentration is reduced after dilution. A DF of 1 means no dilution, while higher values indicate greater dilution.
Details: Accurate dilution factor calculation is essential for preparing standard solutions, adjusting sample concentrations to measurable ranges, and ensuring the validity of analytical results in chemistry, biology, and medical laboratories.
Tips: Enter the original sample volume and the volume of diluent added. Both values must be positive numbers, and the sample volume must be greater than zero for valid calculation.
Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A DF of 10 means the sample has been diluted 10 times, and the original concentration is 10 times higher than the diluted concentration.
Q2: How do I calculate the original concentration from diluted concentration?
A: Multiply the diluted concentration by the dilution factor: Original Concentration = Diluted Concentration × DF.
Q3: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, dilution factor is always ≥ 1. A value of 1 indicates no dilution, while values greater than 1 indicate various degrees of dilution.
Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor represents the total dilution (e.g., 1:10 means DF=10), while dilution ratio describes the proportion (e.g., 1 part sample to 9 parts diluent).
Q5: How do serial dilutions affect the overall dilution factor?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the individual dilution factors to get the overall dilution factor.