A solution is prepared by diluting 20 mL of a stock solution to a final volume of 200 mL. What is the dilution factor?

To determine the dilution factor, you need to understand the relationship between the initial volume of the stock solution and the final volume of the diluted solution. The dilution factor is calculated by dividing the final volume of the solution by the initial volume of the stock solution.

In this case, the stock solution volume is 20 mL, and when it is diluted, the final volume reaches 200 mL. To find the dilution factor, you can use the formula:

Dilution factor = Final volume / Initial volume

Substituting the provided values:

Dilution factor = 200 mL / 20 mL = 10

Thus, the dilution factor is 10, which indicates that the stock solution has been diluted by a factor of ten to achieve the final concentration in the larger volume. This means that the concentration of the diluted solution is one-tenth of the original stock solution. Understanding the dilution factor is essential in pharmacology and nursing practice, as it helps determine how concentrated or diluted medications will be administered to patients.