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M1V1=M2V2 - Examples, Calculator, Uses, formula for dilution in chemistry?

The equation (M1V1=M2V2) represents the dilution equation in chemistry. “Dilution is the process of decreasing the concentration of a solute in a solution, usually simply by mixing with more solvent like adding more water to the solution.”

What does (M1V1=M2V2) mean and where it is used in chemistry?

The equation (M1V1=M2V2) is used to solve the problems related to dilution in chemistry where –

  • M1 represents the molarity of an initial concentrated solution.
  • V1 represents the volume of the initial concentrated solution.
  • M2 represents the molarity of the final diluted solution.
  • V2 represents the volume of the final diluted solution.
m1v1 = m2v2, dilution equation
What is M1V1=M2V2 Calculator?

An M1V1=M2V2 calculator is an online tool to determine the Molarity or Volume of the solution. The M1V1=M2V2 calculator is also called the dilution calculator.

Dilution: It is a process in which the concentration of a solute in the solution is decreased by adding more solvent to the solution. In the dilution process, the concentration of the solution decreases while the volume of the whole solution increased.

The amount of dilute remains constant in the dilution process. (the number of moles is the same before and after dilution).

Why is the (M1V1=M2V2) formula used in the dilution problem, explain?

To understand this equation, we have to focus on the definition of Molarity. “Molarity is defined as the moles of a solute per liters of a solution”.

∴ Molarity = Moles of solute/liters of solution

We can also write it as –

⇒ Moles of solute = (Molarity) × (Liters of solution)

∴ Moles of solute = M × V      [∴ M represents molarity and V represents Volume]

In dilution process, the number of moles is the same before and after dilution. That means (M×V) remains same before and after concentration change.

So, according to this, we can write the initial and final conditions as –

M1V1=M2V2

The above equation represents the dilution equation.

Does M1V1=M2V2 have to be in liters?

The short answer is, It doesn’t matter whether the volumes in the M1V1=M2V2 equation are in liters or not, but it is important to be consistent with the units used. Here’s what you need to consider:

What really matters is –

  • The initial and final concentrations must have the same units.
  • If your initial concentration is in moles per liter and final concentration should also have the same unit(moles per liter).
  • Also, if the concentration is in moles per liter, then, it doesn’t necessary that the volume should also be in liters. But the thing is, the initial volume and final volume must have the same unit.
  • Let’s say if V1 is in milliliters then V2 should also be in milliliters, and vice versa, if the given volume is in liters then another volume should also be in liters.

Maintaining consistency in the units used for both concentration and volume will ensure the equation works correctly for solving dilution problems.

How to solve dilution problems using (M1V1=M2V2)?

It’s really easy, all you have to do is rearrange the formula(M1V1=M2V2) according to the question needs and find the value of the unknown one.

In most of the dilution problems, you have to ask to find either the concentration or volume in either the initial side or the final side of the equation.

For example, If in a given problem, the value of M1 is x, for M2, it is y, and for V2, it is z. Now find the value of V1 =?

∴ We have, M1V1=M2V2

Put the given values in the above equation-

⇒ xV1 = yz

∴ V1 = yz/x       Answer

That’s how simple it is to solve the problem of dilution using the equation M1V1=M2V2.

Examples of dilution problems using (M1V1=M2V2)?

Let’s take some examples to understand the process of solving dilution problems using the equation (M1V1=M2V2).

Q1. A solution having a molarity of 6 M and a volume of 4 liters, after the dilution, the volume of the solution becomes 8 liters, then, calculate the molarity of the dilute solution?

Answer – In the given problem, the initial molarity is 6 M, and the initial volume is 4 liters.

So, we have, M1 = 6 and V1 = 4

Also, it is given, that after the dilution, the volume of the solution becomes 8 liters.

So, V2 = 8

Now we have to find the molarity of the dilute solution which means M2 =?

Use the equation, M1V1=M2V2

∴ M2 = M1V1/V2

= (6 × 4)/8

= 3

∴ So, the molarity of dilute solution (M2) is 3.

Or use the M1V1=M2V2 calculator to solve this problem –

calculate M2 using M1V1=M2V2 calculator

Q2. A solution having a molarity of 8 M and a volume of 4 liters. If 2 liters of solvent are added to the solution, calculate the molarity of the final solution?

Answer = Given, M1 = 8, V1 = 4

“If 2 liters of solvent are added to the solution”

∴ V2 = V1 + 2

= 4 + 2

V2 = 6 liters

Now we have to find M2.

Use the equation, M1V1=M2V2

∴ M2 = M1V1/V2

= (8 × 4)/6

= 16/3

∴ M2 = 5.33 

Or use the M1V1=M2V2 calculator to solve this problem –

calculate final molarity using M1V1 M2V2 calculator

Q3. How many mL of a 2.50 M NaOH solution are required to make 525 mL of a 0.150 M NaOH solution?

Answer –

In given problem, we have given, M1 = 2.50, M2 = 0.150, V2 = 525

We have to find, V1 =?

Use the equation, M1V1=M2V2

∴ V1 = M2V2/M1

= (0.150 × 525)/2.50

= 31.5

∴ V1 = 31.5 mL

Or use the M1V1=M2V2 calculator to solve this problem –

calculate V1 using M1V1=M2V2 calculator

Q4. If 45.0 mL of a 6.00 M HCl solution is diluted to a final volume of 0.250 L, what is the final concentration? 

Answer –

Given, M1 = 6, V1 = 45 mL

Also, the final volume (V2) is 0.250 L, we have to find, M2 =?

We have one problem here, in the given question, V1 is in milliliters and V2 is in Liters, so, both have different units.

According to the dilution equation concept –

The initial and final volume must have same units.

For example – If V1 is in liter then V2 must also be in liters.

So, what we have to do is convert the milliliter unit to a liter.

V1 = 45 mL = 0.045 Liter

Now put these values in the dilution equation-

⇒ M1V1=M2V2

∴ M2 = M1V1/V2

= (6 × 0.045)/0.250

= 1.08

∴ M2 = 1.08 M

Or use the M1V1 = M2V2 calculator to solve this problem –

M1V1 = M2V2 calculator to calculate molarity

Complex problem on (M1V1=M2V2)?

Determine the mass (g) of calcium nitrate in each milliliter of a solution prepared by diluting 56.0 mL of 0.705 M calcium nitrate to a final volume of 0.100 L.

1) use M1V1 = M2V2:

⇒ (0.705 mol/L) (0.0560 L) = (x) (0.100 L)

∴ x = 0.3948 M

2) moles of Ca(NO3)2 in 1 mL:

∴ 0.3948 mol/L = 0.3948 mol / 1000 mL = 0.0003948 mol/mL

3) Convert moles to grams:

∴ 0.0003948 mol/mL times 164.086 g/mol = 0.0648 g/mL

You can check more complex problem on M1V1 = M2V2 here,  Dilution problem (chemteam.info)

FAQ

What does M1V1=M2V2 equation in chemistry represent?

We know, that M1V1=M2V2 represents the dilution equation, that M1 represents initial molarity, M2 represents final molarity, V1 represents initial volume and V2 denotes final volume.

How can you find initial molarity (M1), initial volume (V1), final molarity (M2), and final volume (V2) using the M1V1=M2V2 equation?

The given equation is- M1V1=M2V2

Now to find the initial molarity (M1), initial volume (V1), final molarity (M2), and final volume (V2) use the formulas given below-

initial molarity formula in M1V1=M2V2

final molarity formula in M1V1=M2V2

initial volume formula in M1V1=M2V2

final volume formula in M1V1=M2V2

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About the author

Vishal Goyal is the founder of Topblogtenz, a comprehensive resource for students seeking guidance and support in their chemistry studies. He holds a degree in B.Tech (Chemical Engineering) and has four years of experience as a chemistry tutor. The team at Topblogtenz includes experts like experienced researchers, professors, and educators, with the goal of making complex subjects like chemistry accessible and understandable for all. A passion for sharing knowledge and a love for chemistry and science drives the team behind the website. Let's connect through LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-goyal-2926a122b/

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