What formula is used for dilution calculations?

The formula for dilution calculations is represented as M1V1 = M2V2, where M1 is the initial molarity (concentration) of the solution, V1 is the initial volume of the solution, M2 is the final molarity of the diluted solution, and V2 is the final volume after dilution. This equation is based on the principle of conservation of mass: the amount of solute remains constant before and after the dilution process, so the product of concentration and volume must also remain constant.

When you dilute a solution, you are adding solvent, which increases the volume while decreasing the concentration of the solute. This relationship allows chemists to calculate how much solvent to add to achieve a desired concentration. Hence, if you know the original concentration and volume, along with the desired final concentration, you can easily determine the new volume required.

Understanding this formula is essential in laboratory settings, especially when preparing solutions at specific concentrations for experiments or reactions.