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.

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 dilution factor tells you how many times more dilute the final solution is compared to the original.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both volumes in milliliters (mL). Both values must be greater than zero. The result is a unitless ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is DF different from dilution ratio?
A: DF is the inverse of the dilution ratio. A 1:10 dilution has a DF of 10.

Q3: Can DF be less than 1?
A: No, DF is always ≥1 since V₂ (final volume) must be ≥ V₁ (initial volume).

Q4: How do I calculate concentration from DF?
A: Final concentration = Initial concentration / DF.

Q5: What if I need serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the DFs of each step to get the total DF.