1. What Is Alcohol Dilution?

Alcohol dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of an alcohol solution by mixing it with another liquid (typically water or a lower concentration alcohol solution). This is commonly needed in laboratory work, beverage preparation, and medical applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution formula:

Where:

• \( C_{final} \) — Final concentration (%)
• \( V_1 \) — Volume of first solution (mL)
• \( C_1 \) — Concentration of first solution (%)
• \( V_2 \) — Volume of second solution (mL)
• \( C_2 \) — Concentration of second solution (%)

Explanation: The formula calculates the weighted average of the two concentrations based on their respective volumes.

3. Importance of Accurate Dilution

Details: Precise alcohol dilution is critical in medical disinfection, laboratory procedures, and beverage production where specific alcohol concentrations are required for effectiveness or safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter volumes in milliliters (mL) and concentrations in percentage (%). All values must be non-negative, and the total volume must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I dilute with any liquid?
A: For most applications, distilled water is recommended. Some applications may require specific diluents.

Q2: Does volume contraction affect the result?
A: The calculator assumes ideal mixing. For precise work with ethanol/water mixtures, note that the final volume may be slightly less than the sum of volumes.

Q3: What's the maximum concentration I can enter?
A: The calculator accepts up to 100%, but pure ethanol is typically 95-96% due to azeotrope formation.

Q4: Can I use this for serial dilutions?
A: Yes, but you'll need to calculate each step separately.

Q5: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For laboratory work, use volumetric flasks. For general purposes, graduated cylinders are sufficient.