1. What is Serial Dilution?

Serial dilution is a stepwise dilution of a substance in solution. It's commonly used in microbiology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry to reduce the concentration of a solution by consistent dilution factors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the serial dilution formula:

Where:

• \( C_n \) — Final concentration after n dilutions (mg/ml)
• \( C_0 \) — Initial concentration (mg/ml)
• \( DF \) — Dilution factor (e.g., 2 for 1:2 dilution)
• \( n \) — Number of serial dilutions

Explanation: Each dilution step reduces the concentration by the dilution factor, and multiple dilutions compound this effect exponentially.

3. Importance of Serial Dilution

Details: Serial dilutions are essential for creating standard curves, determining unknown concentrations, and preparing samples within the detection range of instruments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter initial concentration in mg/ml, dilution factor (typically 2 or 10), and number of dilutions. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical dilution factor?
A: Common factors are 2 (1:2), 5 (1:5), or 10 (1:10), depending on the required concentration range.

Q2: How accurate are serial dilutions?
A: Accuracy depends on precise pipetting and mixing. Each step compounds any errors from previous steps.

Q3: When would I use serial vs. parallel dilution?
A: Serial dilutions are used when you need a wide concentration range with logarithmic spacing. Parallel dilutions are better for linear spacing.

Q4: How do I choose the number of dilutions?
A: Choose enough dilutions to cover your expected concentration range while maintaining measurable concentrations.

Q5: Can I use different dilution factors for each step?
A: This calculator assumes constant DF. For variable factors, calculations must be done step-by-step.