A numerical expression represents the extent to which a solution has been weakened by the addition of a solvent. This value quantifies the ratio of the initial volume to the final volume or, alternatively, the ratio of the solute concentration before and after the dilution process. For example, adding 9 mL of diluent to 1 mL of a stock solution results in a tenfold lessening of the original concentration.
Understanding and correctly determining this value is crucial in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and medicine. Accurate serial dilutions are vital for creating standard curves in assays, preparing medication dosages, and reducing overly concentrated samples to working ranges. Furthermore, this calculation is fundamental to experimental reproducibility and data interpretation across numerous applications.
