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Serial Dilution Formula:
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Serial dilution is a stepwise dilution of a substance in solution. It's commonly used in microbiology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry to reduce the concentration of a sample in a systematic way.
The calculator uses the serial dilution formula:
Where:
Explanation: Each dilution step reduces the concentration by the dilution factor, resulting in an exponential decrease in concentration.
Details: Serial dilution is essential for creating standard curves, determining microbial concentrations, preparing samples for analysis, and creating working solutions from stock concentrations.
Tips: Enter the initial concentration in mg/mL, the dilution factor (typically 2, 5, or 10), and the number of dilution steps you want to calculate. All values must be valid (concentration > 0, dilution factor > 1, steps between 1-20).
Q1: What is a typical dilution factor?
A: Common dilution factors are 2 (two-fold), 5 (five-fold), or 10 (ten-fold), but any factor greater than 1 can be used.
Q2: How accurate are serial dilutions?
A: Accuracy depends on precise pipetting technique. Each dilution step introduces potential error, so careful technique is essential for reliable results.
Q3: When should I use serial dilution vs. parallel dilution?
A: Serial dilution is more efficient when creating multiple dilutions from a single stock. Parallel dilution (making each dilution directly from the stock) is more accurate but requires more stock solution.
Q4: What's the maximum number of practical dilution steps?
A: Typically 6-10 steps, as beyond this the concentration becomes too low to measure accurately with most instruments.
Q5: How do I choose the right dilution factor?
A: The dilution factor depends on your application. Smaller factors (2-5) provide finer resolution, while larger factors (10-100) cover a wider concentration range with fewer steps.