1. What is the Dilution Factor Formula?

The Dilution Factor (DF) is a ratio that describes the extent of dilution in a solution. It's commonly used in cell culture and laboratory work to prepare solutions of desired concentrations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution factor equation:

Where:

• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (dimensionless)
• \( V_f \) — Final volume after dilution (mL)
• \( V_i \) — Initial volume before dilution (mL)

Explanation: The equation calculates how many times the original solution has been diluted by comparing the final volume to the initial volume.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Knowing the dilution factor is essential for preparing accurate concentrations of solutions, maintaining consistent cell culture conditions, and ensuring reproducibility in experiments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both volumes in milliliters (mL). Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the dilution factor as a dimensionless ratio.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a DF of 1 mean?
A: A DF of 1 means no dilution occurred (Vf = Vi).

Q2: How is DF related to concentration?
A: The concentration after dilution is the original concentration divided by the DF.

Q3: What's the difference between DF and dilution ratio?
A: DF is the total volume divided by initial volume, while dilution ratio is typically expressed as initial:final (e.g., 1:10).

Q4: Can DF be less than 1?
A: No, since Vf must be ≥ Vi in a dilution, DF should always be ≥ 1.

Q5: How do I use DF in serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the DFs of each step to get the total DF.