1. What is the Dilution Ratio?

The dilution ratio represents the proportion of stock solution in the final diluted mixture. It's a crucial calculation in chemistry, biology, and various industrial processes where precise concentrations are required.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution formula:

Where:

• \( Stock \) — Volume of stock solution (ml)
• \( Diluent \) — Volume of diluting liquid (ml)

Explanation: The formula calculates what portion of the final solution consists of the original stock solution.

3. Importance of Dilution Calculation

Details: Accurate dilution calculations are essential for preparing solutions with precise concentrations, ensuring experimental reproducibility, and maintaining safety standards when working with concentrated chemicals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the volume of stock solution and diluent in milliliters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will provide both the ratio and percentage concentration.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between dilution ratio and dilution factor?
A: The dilution ratio is the stock volume divided by total volume, while the dilution factor is the reciprocal (total volume divided by stock volume).

Q2: How do I prepare a 1:10 dilution?
A: Mix 1 part stock with 9 parts diluent (creating 10 parts total). This gives a dilution ratio of 0.1 or 10%.

Q3: Can I use different units besides milliliters?
A: Yes, as long as you use the same unit for both stock and diluent, the ratio will be correct.

Q4: What if my dilution is too strong or too weak?
A: Use the formula C1V1 = C2V2 to adjust concentrations, where C is concentration and V is volume.

Q5: How does serial dilution differ from simple dilution?
A: Serial dilution involves multiple dilution steps, each diluting the previous solution further, often used to achieve very high dilution factors.