A dilution factor of 1:5 means...

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

A dilution factor of 1:5 means 1 part of the starting (stock) solution is present in a total of 5 parts of the final solution.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Dilution ratios written as A:B mean A parts stock : B parts final (common laboratory convention), so the final volume equals B parts. 
- The amount of diluent added = final volume − starting volume.
- The resulting concentration = (A/B) × original concentration.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Interpret 1:5 as “1 part stock in 5 parts total.”
- Choose a convenient starting volume for clarity (1 mL of stock is a natural choice because “1 part” corresponds to 1 mL).
- Final total volume required = 5 parts = 5 mL.

3) Intermediate calculation steps
- Starting volume (stock) = 1 mL.
- Final total volume = 5 mL.
- Volume of diluent to add = final − starting = 5 mL − 1 mL = 4 mL.
- Concentration after dilution = (1/5) × original concentration = 0.2 × original.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- The option “1 mL of starting solution is diluted with water to 5 mL total” exactly matches the definition: 1 mL stock in a final volume of 5 mL (1:5). The added water is 4 mL, not 5 mL.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- “1 mL of starting solution is diluted with 5 mL water” gives a final volume of 6 mL (1:6 dilution), not 1:5.
- “1 mL of starting solution is diluted with water to 6 mL total” is explicitly 1:6, incorrect.
- “5 mL of starting solution is diluted with 1 mL water” yields a final volume of 6 mL with 5 mL stock (5:6 of final), which is not 1:5.

6) Conclusion
- Therefore the correct interpretation is that 1 mL of starting solution is diluted with water to 5 mL total, which matches the provided answer.

A dilution factor of 1:5 means...Multiple choice

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