What equation is used for performing dilution calculations?

The equation used for performing dilution calculations is C1V1 = C2V2. This equation relates the concentration and volume of a concentrated solution to the concentration and volume of the diluted solution.

In this equation, C1 represents the initial concentration of the solution before dilution, V1 is the initial volume of that solution, C2 is the concentration after dilution, and V2 is the final volume after dilution. This relationship arises from the principle that the number of moles of solute remains constant before and after dilution, assuming no solute is added or removed during the process.

Understanding this concept is fundamental in chemistry, as it allows for accurate preparation of solutions and experimentation, ensuring that concentrations of substances are correctly managed. For instance, if a chemist needs to prepare a less concentrated solution from a stock solution, they can use this equation to calculate how much of the stock solution and how much solvent is needed, maintaining the proper ratio of solute to solution.