1. What is Dilution Factor?

Dilution factor (DF) is a measure of how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the ratio of the initial concentration to the final concentration after dilution. A higher dilution factor indicates a more diluted solution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (unitless)
• \( c1 \) — Initial concentration (any concentration units)
• \( c2 \) — Final concentration (same units as c1)

Explanation: The dilution factor indicates how many times more concentrated the original solution is compared to the diluted solution.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor Calculation

Details: Calculating dilution factors is essential in laboratory work, pharmaceutical preparations, chemical analysis, and various scientific experiments where precise concentrations are required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both concentrations in the same units. Values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the dilution factor as a unitless ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A dilution factor of 10 means the original solution was 10 times more concentrated than the final diluted solution.

Q2: Can I use different concentration units?
A: Yes, as long as both concentrations use the same units (mg/mL, M, %, etc.), the dilution factor calculation will be accurate.

Q3: How is dilution factor related to dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is the inverse of the dilution ratio. For example, a 1:10 dilution has a dilution factor of 10.

Q4: What if my final concentration is higher than initial?
A: This would indicate concentration rather than dilution, and the result would be a value less than 1, representing a concentration factor.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, you would multiply the individual dilution factors to get the total dilution factor.