1. What is Dilution Factor?

Dilution Factor (DF) is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the final volume to the initial volume in a dilution process. It indicates how many times a solution has been diluted.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor formula:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution Factor (unitless)
• \( v1 \) — Initial volume (mL)
• \( v2 \) — Final volume after dilution (mL)

Explanation: The dilution factor represents the factor by which the original solution has been diluted. A DF of 10 means the solution has been diluted 10-fold.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, in analytical chemistry for sample preparation, and in various industrial processes where precise dilutions are required.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both initial and final volumes in mL. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the dilution factor as a unitless value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a dilution factor of 1 mean?
A: A dilution factor of 1 means no dilution has occurred - the final volume equals the initial volume.

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 (final volume) should always be greater than or equal to v1 (initial volume) in a dilution process.

Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution factor is v2/v1, while dilution ratio is typically expressed as 1:DF (e.g., 1:10 for a 10-fold dilution).

Q5: When should I use this calculation?
A: Use this when preparing laboratory solutions, performing serial dilutions, or when you need to know how much a sample has been diluted.