1. What is Serial Dilution?

Serial dilution is a stepwise dilution of a substance in solution, where each step uses the diluted solution from the previous step as its input. This technique is commonly used in chemistry, biology, and medical laboratories to create extremely diluted solutions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the serial dilution formula:

Where:

• \( C_t \) — Final concentration (ppm)
• \( C_0 \) — Initial concentration (ppm)
• \( DF_{total} \) — Total dilution factor (unitless)

Explanation: The total dilution factor is the product of all individual dilution factors in the serial dilution process.

3. Importance of Dilution Calculations

Details: Accurate dilution calculations are essential for preparing standard solutions, performing accurate measurements, and ensuring experimental reproducibility in scientific research and clinical diagnostics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the initial concentration in ppm and the total dilution factor (must be ≥1). The calculator will compute the final concentration after dilution.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is ppm concentration?
A: Parts per million (ppm) is a unit of concentration representing 1 part of substance per 1 million parts of solution (by mass or volume).

Q2: How do I calculate total dilution factor?
A: Multiply all individual dilution factors. For example, three 1:10 dilutions would be 10 × 10 × 10 = 1000 total dilution factor.

Q3: What's the difference between serial and simple dilution?
A: Serial dilution uses multiple steps where each step dilutes the previous dilution, while simple dilution dilutes the original solution in one step.

Q4: Can I use this for non-ppm units?
A: Yes, as long as you use consistent units for C₀ and C_t (e.g., both in mg/L or both in μg/mL).

Q5: What's the maximum dilution factor possible?
A: Practically limited by the smallest measurable quantity in your analytical method, but theoretically unlimited.