How to Make Serial Dilutions

If you are trying to perform a serial dilution with a chemical solution, there is a very simple way to dilute it down to gradually decreasing concentrations. A serial dilution creates a series of lower and lower concentrations of the same solution in order to have different testing levels for that compound. You can perform a sample serial dilution yourself with some basic chemistry supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • Four 100 ml beakers
  • 100 ml graduated cylinder
  • 3 grams salt
  • Food coloring (any color)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure 100 ml of tap water using the graduated cylinder and pour it into the first beaker.

    • 2

      Add 3.5 grams of salt into the first beaker along with a few drops of food coloring. This should make the solution a fairly deep color. This creates a 3.5 percent salt solution (3.5 grams per 100 ml).

    • 3

      Measure 50 ml of salt solution from beaker number one and pour it into a new, empty beaker (number two). Add 50 ml of tap water to this solution. This creates a 1.75 percent salt solution, your first dilution. This is half as much as the first solution.

    • 4

      Measure 50 ml of salt solution from beaker number two and pour it into beaker number three. Add 50 ml of tap water to this beaker. This creates a 0.875 percent salt solution, half as much as beaker number two. This is your second dilution.

    • 5

      Measure 50 ml of salt solution from beaker number three and pour it into the last empty beaker (number four). Add 50 ml of tap water. This creates a 0.4375 percent salt solution, which is half as much as beaker number three. You can continue this process in order to make a serial dilution for any solution. The color of the food coloring should become lighter with each dilution.

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