1. What is Dilution Factor?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is the ratio of the initial concentration to the final concentration of a solution. It indicates how much a solution has been diluted and is unitless.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( C1 \) — Initial concentration (mg/mL)
• \( C2 \) — Final concentration (mg/mL)
• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (unitless)

Explanation: The equation simply divides the initial concentration by the final concentration to determine how many times the solution was diluted.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, calculating actual concentrations from diluted samples, and ensuring consistency in experimental procedures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both concentrations in mg/mL. Both values must be positive numbers. The final concentration (C2) should be less than the initial concentration (C1) for meaningful results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my concentrations are in different units?
A: Convert both concentrations to the same units (preferably mg/mL) before calculation.

Q2: Can dilution factor be less than 1?
A: No, DF should always be ≥1. If C2 > C1, you're dealing with concentration, not dilution.

Q3: How is dilution factor related to dilution ratio?
A: DF represents the total dilution. For example, DF=10 could mean 1 part sample + 9 parts diluent (1:9 ratio).

Q4: What's the difference between DF and fold dilution?
A: They're essentially the same - a DF of 5 means a 5-fold dilution.

Q5: How do I use DF to calculate original concentration?
A: Multiply measured concentration by DF to get original concentration before dilution.