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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 in a dilution process. It indicates how many times the original sample has been diluted.
The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:
Where:
Explanation: The dilution factor quantifies the extent of dilution by comparing the total volume of the diluted solution to the volume of the original sample used.
Details: Accurate dilution factor calculation is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and various scientific experiments where precise dilutions are required.
Tips: Enter both total volume and sample volume in milliliters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the dilution factor as a dimensionless value.
Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A dilution factor of 10 means the original sample has been diluted 10 times, meaning 1 part sample was mixed with 9 parts diluent.
Q2: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, dilution factor cannot be less than 1 as it represents the ratio of total volume to sample volume, and total volume should always be equal to or greater than sample volume.
Q3: How is dilution factor related to concentration?
A: The concentration of the diluted solution is the original concentration divided by the dilution factor.
Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is a single number (e.g., 10), while dilution ratio is expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:10, meaning 1 part sample to 9 parts diluent).
Q5: When would I need to calculate dilution factor?
A: You need dilution factor calculations when preparing standard solutions, performing serial dilutions, in microbiology for colony counting, and in various analytical techniques where samples need to be within detection limits.