1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a measure of how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume of the solution. A higher dilution factor means the solution has been more diluted.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (unitless)
• \( V_2 \) — Final volume after dilution (mL)
• \( V_1 \) — Initial volume before dilution (mL)

Explanation: The formula simply divides the final volume by the initial volume to determine how many times the original solution was diluted.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory work, pharmaceutical preparations, and chemical analysis. It helps determine the concentration of solutions after dilution and is essential for accurate experimental results.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both volumes in milliliters (mL). The initial volume (V₁) should be the volume of the original solution, and the final volume (V₂) should be the total volume after dilution. Both values must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 10 mean?
A: A DF of 10 means the original solution was diluted 10 times (1 part original solution + 9 parts diluent).

Q2: How is dilution factor related to concentration?
A: The concentration after dilution is the original concentration divided by the dilution factor.

Q3: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, since V₂ must be greater than V₁ in a dilution, DF is always ≥1.

Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution ratio expresses the parts of solute to total parts (e.g., 1:10), while DF is the total volume divided by solute volume (10 in this case).

Q5: How do I prepare a solution with a specific dilution factor?
A: To achieve a DF of X, add (X × V₁ - V₁) of diluent to your original volume V₁.