1. What is Dilution Factor?

The dilution factor (DF) is a dimensionless number that describes 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 (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: Dilution factor is crucial in laboratory work for preparing solutions of desired concentrations, cell culture work, and various biological and chemical 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 number.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

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 final volume must be greater than initial volume, DF is always ≥1.

Q4: What's the difference between dilution factor and dilution ratio?
A: Dilution ratio expresses the parts of solute to total parts (e.g., 1:10), while DF is the total volume divided by solute volume.

Q5: How do I prepare a solution with a specific dilution factor?
A: Multiply the desired DF by the volume of stock solution you want to use to determine the final volume needed.