1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a dimensionless number that represents how much a solution has been diluted. It is 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 equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation simply divides the final volume by the initial volume to determine how many times the original solution was diluted.

3. Importance of Dilution Factor

Details: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory settings for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, performing serial dilutions, and calculating original concentrations from diluted samples.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is DF different from dilution ratio?
A: DF is the total dilution (final volume/initial volume), while dilution ratio expresses the parts of solute to parts of diluent (e.g., 1:9 for DF=10).

Q3: Can DF be less than 1?
A: No, DF is always ≥1 since final volume cannot be less than initial volume in a dilution.

Q4: How to prepare a solution with specific DF?
A: Subtract initial volume from final volume to determine how much diluent to add (Vdiluent = Vf - Vi).

Q5: Does DF affect concentration?
A: Yes, final concentration = initial concentration divided by DF.