1. What is Dilution Factor?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is a ratio that describes how much a solution has been diluted. It represents the factor by which the original concentration is reduced to reach the final concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation calculates how many times more concentrated the original solution is compared to the final solution.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory work, pharmaceutical preparations, and chemical analysis to ensure accurate concentrations for experiments and formulations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both concentrations in mg/mL. Both values must be positive numbers, and C1 should be greater than C2 for meaningful dilution factors.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: Can DF be less than 1?
A: No, DF should always be ≥1. If C2 > C1, it indicates concentration rather than dilution.

Q3: How is DF related to dilution volume?
A: DF = (V1 + V2)/V1, where V1 is initial volume and V2 is diluent volume. This relates to concentration DF when V2 is the volume needed to achieve C2.

Q4: What's the difference between DF and dilution ratio?
A: DF is a multiplicative factor (e.g., 10x), while dilution ratio expresses parts (e.g., 1:9 means 1 part sample + 9 parts diluent).

Q5: How precise should DF calculations be?
A: For most applications, 2 decimal places is sufficient, but follow your specific protocol requirements.