dilute

Definition

To dilute means to make something less concentrated by adding more of something else. This can be done with liquids, gases, or solids. For example, you can dilute a solution by adding more solvents, such as water. You can also dilute a gas by adding more of the same gas, or by adding a different gas.

Dilution is a common technique used in chemistry and biology. It is used to prepare solutions of known concentrations and to separate mixtures of different substances.

Here are some examples of how dilution is used:

To prepare a solution of a known concentration, you can start with a concentrated solution and dilute it with a solvent.
To separate a mixture of two different liquids, you can dilute the mixture with a solvent that dissolves one of the liquids but not the other.
To test the concentration of a solution, you can dilute it with a solvent and then measure the concentration of the diluted solution.

Dilution is a very important technique in science. It is used to prepare solutions of known concentrations, to separate mixtures of different substances, and to test the concentration of solutions.

How can the word be used?

To make something less concentrated by adding water or another solvent. For example, you can dilute a strong acid by adding water to it.

Different forms of the word

Noun: dilution.

Verb: dilute.

Adjective: dilute.

Synonym: water down.

Antonym: concentrate.

Etymology

The word "dilute" comes from the Latin word dilūere, which means "to make thin" or "to make weak". It is made up of the two Latin words di (apart) and luere (to wash).

Question

What substance can be diluted?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the concept of a dilute solution and its significance in scientific experiments. Describe the process of dilution and how it affects the concentration of a solution. Provide an example of when and why dilute solutions are commonly used in laboratory settings.

Answer:

A dilute solution refers to a mixture in which the solute is present in a relatively small amount compared to the solvent. It is significant in scientific experiments as it allows researchers to control the concentration of a substance and make it suitable for specific tests or reactions. Dilution involves adding more solvent to a concentrated solution, which decreases the amount of solute per unit volume, thus lowering its concentration.
For example, in a laboratory setting, a concentrated acid solution may be too strong and hazardous for certain experiments. To make it safer to handle and use, scientists dilute the concentrated acid by adding water, creating a dilute acid solution with a reduced concentration of acid molecules.
Dilute solutions are crucial in ensuring accurate results, safe experimentation, and precise control over reactions in scientific investigations.