This dilution calculator discovers any of the four components of a solution dilution equation for all kinds of substances, knowing molar concentrations and volumes. Below the form you can find out more on solution dilution and check and example calculation.
How does this dilution calculator work?
This is a useful tool to determine any of the four components in a solution dilution equation. It is usually used to discover the final dilution volume of a solution by a certain concentration and volume that you want to transform into a lower concentration. The dilute solution started most likely as a stock solution and its concentration had to be lowered.
In order for the dilution calculator to work you need to enter any three out of the four of the fields below to discover the fourth value.
- Cs = stock concentration
- Vs = stock volume
- Cd = dilute concentration
- Vd = dilute volume
The formula for dilution is
Cs * Vs = Cd * Vd
Since the concentration used is the molarity of a solution, the formula can also be written:
Ms * Vs = Md * Vd
Example calculation
What is the final volume of a solution of HCl of 6M, 0.5 L that needs to be diluted to 3M?
So the Ms= 6M, Mv=0.5L and the Md=3M.
Vd= Ms * Mv / Md
Vd= 6M * 0.5 L / 3M = 1L
Solution dilution
This is basically the process of lowering the concentration of a solution by either acting on the solvent (the material in which the solute in dissolved) or on the solute quantity. This is normally done by decreasing the solute in solution by mixing with more solvent.
- Simple dilution is the one in which a unit volume of the material is mixed with the appropriate volume of solvent to achieve a new concentration. Therefore a 1:4 dilution means combining a unit volume of solute to 3 parts volume of solvent.
- Serial dilution represents the series of simple dilutions that are meant to amplify the dilution factor gradually beginning with an initial quantity of material. The source of solute comes from the previous step and so on.