1. What is Dilution Ratio?

The dilution ratio represents the ratio of the volume of solute to the volume of solvent in a dilution. It's commonly used in chemistry and biology to prepare solutions of desired concentrations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the dilution formula:

Where:

• \( C_{new} \) — New concentration after dilution
• \( C_{initial} \) — Initial concentration before dilution
• \( R \) — Dilution ratio (volume of solvent/volume of solute)

Explanation: The formula calculates the new concentration after mixing a solution with a specific volume of solvent.

3. Importance of Dilution Calculations

Details: Accurate dilution calculations are essential for preparing solutions of precise concentrations in laboratory work, medical testing, and industrial processes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial concentration in molar units and dilution ratio as a decimal (e.g., 1:10 dilution = 10). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between dilution ratio and dilution factor?
A: Dilution ratio is solvent:solute (e.g., 9:1), while dilution factor is total volume:solute volume (e.g., 10:1). The calculator uses dilution factor.

Q2: How do I calculate serial dilutions?
A: For serial dilutions, multiply the dilution factors at each step. For example, two 1:10 dilutions equal a total 1:100 dilution.

Q3: Can I use this for percent concentration?
A: Yes, as long as initial and final concentrations use the same units (e.g., % w/v or % v/v).

Q4: What if my dilution ratio is very large?
A: The calculator works for any positive ratio, but very large ratios may result in concentrations below practical measurement limits.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact, but actual results depend on measurement precision and mixing thoroughness.