Variables
Description
What is this formula?
The dilution equation relates the concentration and volume of a solution before and after dilution. It is based on conservation of the amount of solute, assuming no chemical reaction occurs during dilution.
When to use it
Use this formula when preparing diluted solutions from concentrated stock solutions, laboratory reagents, calibration standards, and analytical samples.
Example
A laboratory has a stock solution with a concentration of 5.0 mol/L. A technician wants to prepare 250 mL of a 0.50 mol/L solution.
Data:
C1 = 5.0 mol/L
C2 = 0.50 mol/L
V2 = 250 mL
Formula:
C1V1 = C2V2
Substitution:
5.0 × V1 = 0.50 × 250
V1 = 25 mL
Result:
25 mL of stock solution must be diluted to a final volume of 250 mL.
Applications
- Laboratory solution preparation
- Analytical chemistry
- Calibration standards
- Pharmaceutical formulations
- Water quality analysis
- Industrial chemical processing