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How to Set Up Serial Dilution Problems

Serial dilutions are used in scientific research to test the effect and result of decreasing concentrations of specific elements. With four beakers, you can test the effect of the dilution for each solution mixture against your specified testing agent. With salt and food coloring, the results are also visible to the eye.

Things You'll Need

100 mL pipette
Four 100 mL beakers
Food coloring
100 mL graduated cylinder
Salt

Instructions

- 1
  Pour 100 mL of water into the first beaker and add 3.5 grams of salt. Pour a few drops of food coloring into this beaker.
- 2
  Pour 50 mL of your solution from step 1 into the second beaker. Pour 50 mL of water into this solution. This dilutes the salt solution further from the first beaker.
- 3
  Pour 50 mL of the solution from the second beaker into a third, empty beaker. Pour 50 mL of water into this solution.
- 4
  Pour 50 mL of the solution from the third beaker into the fourth, empty beaker. Pour 50 mL of water to this beaker. This dilutes your solution even more. In each successive beaker in your series, the salt content will be smaller and the color will be proportionally lighter.

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