If 0.25 parts of a sample are diluted into 4.75 parts of diluent, what is the dilution factor?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The dilution factor is the ratio of the total final volume to the volume of the sample. In this case, you have 0.25 parts of the sample diluted into 4.75 parts of diluent.
To find the dilution factor, follow these steps:
- Calculate the total volume of the diluted sample:
- The total volume is the sum of the volume of the sample and the diluent.
- Total volume = 0.25 parts (sample) + 4.75 parts (diluent) = 5 parts.
- Determine the dilution factor:
- The dilution factor is calculated by dividing the final total volume by the volume of the sample.
- Dilution factor = Total volume / Volume of sample = 5 parts / 0.25 parts = 20.
Thus, the dilution factor is 20.
Explanation:
The dilution factor is used to describe how much the original sample has been diluted. It provides a ratio indicating how much of the sample is present in the total mixture compared to the amount of diluent added. In this case, since you have 0.25 parts of the sample mixed with 4.75 parts of diluent, the final mixture is 20 times more diluted than the original sample. This means that for every part of the sample, there are 20 parts in the total mixture, making the concentration of the sample 1/20th of its original concentration.
This dilution factor is crucial in various laboratory processes, especially in chemistry, biology, and medicine, where precise concentrations are needed for reactions, tests, or analyses.