Dilutions

Dilutions tutorial

Stock solutions are often available in a chemistry laboratory. Often times, however, chemists need to dilute a stock solution to produce a less concentrated solution. In order to make a more dilute solution, more solvent is added. To determine the exact amount of stock solution to dilute, the following formula is used:

For example: How would you prepare 500 mL of a 0.1 M saline solution from a stock 2.5 M solution?

Plug in your variables and solve for x.
(0.1 M) ( 500 mL) = (2.5 M) (x)
x = 20 mL

Explain the process for making the dilution:
Take 20 mL of stock solution and dilute it to make a 500 mL solution.
Note: 20 mL was what you determined that you needed from your stock solution and 500 mL was the final volume needed. You should always accompany your problem with an explanation on how to perform the dilution.