Solution Dilution Calculator
Calculate dilution ratios and volumes using the C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ formula for laboratory solutions
Calculate Solution Dilution
Stock Solution
Final Solution
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ Formula
C₁: Initial (stock) concentration
V₁: Volume of stock solution needed
C₂: Final (diluted) concentration
V₂: Final volume of diluted solution
Dilution Factor: C₁ ÷ C₂ (how many times the solution is diluted)
Example Calculation
HCl Dilution Example
Goal: Prepare 200 mL of 20 mM HCl from 1 M stock
Given: C₁ = 1 M, C₂ = 20 mM = 0.02 M, V₂ = 200 mL
Find: V₁ (volume of stock solution needed)
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Apply formula: C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
2. Rearrange: V₁ = (C₂ × V₂) ÷ C₁
3. Substitute: V₁ = (0.02 M × 200 mL) ÷ 1 M
4. Calculate: V₁ = 4 mL
5. Dilution factor: 1 M ÷ 0.02 M = 50 (1:50 dilution)
Result: Take 4 mL of 1 M HCl and add 196 mL water
Common Dilutions
1:10 Dilution
1 → 0.1 M (10 → 100 mL)
1:100 Dilution
1000 → 10 mM (1 → 100 mL)
1:1000 Dilution
1000 → 1 μM (1 → 1000 mL)
Protein Stock
10 → 1 mg/mL (50 → 500 mL)
DNA Sample
100 → 10 ng/mL (10 → 100 mL)
Drug Solution
50 → 5 μg/mL (20 → 200 mL)
Dilution Tips
Always add acid to water, never water to acid
Use volumetric flasks for precise dilutions
Mix thoroughly after adding solvent
Check units carefully before calculation
Label diluted solutions immediately
Understanding Solution Dilution
What is Solution Dilution?
Solution dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of a solute in a solution by adding more solvent. The key principle is that the amount of solute remains constant while the volume increases, resulting in a lower concentration.
Applications
- •Preparing standard solutions for analysis
- •Laboratory reagent preparation
- •Pharmaceutical formulations
- •Buffer solution preparation
- •Quality control testing
The Dilution Formula
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂
Initial concentration × Initial volume = Final concentration × Final volume
Key Concepts
- Conservation of mass: Amount of solute stays constant
- Dilution factor: Ratio of initial to final concentration
- Serial dilution: Multiple successive dilutions
- Stock solution: Concentrated solution for dilution
Remember: Lower concentration means higher dilution factor (e.g., 1:100 vs 1:10).