Dilution Calculations

Dilution calculations involve determining the final concentrations of substances in solution after their volume has been changed.

Basically, all dilution calculations follow the following format:

Use the initial molarity and volume to determine number of moles present.
The number of moles stay constant, and thus dividing by the new volume gives the new concentration.

This simplifies to the general formula:

C

_i x V_i = C_f x V_f,

where C is concentration and V is volume and the subscripts i and f for initial and final respectively.

Note: Although the general formula is useful, keep in mind that dilution calculations are simply stoichiometry calculations and do not require a formula to complete.