Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What does it mean to dilute a solution?

1. To concentrate the solution

2. To increase the temperature of a liquid

3. To reduce the concentration of a liquid product by adding another liquid

4. To change the state of matter

The correct answer is: To reduce the concentration of a liquid product by adding another liquid

Diluting a solution involves reducing the concentration of a substance within that solution by adding more solvent, typically a liquid such as water. This process lowers the amount of solute (the substance being dissolved) in relation to the volume of solvent, leading to a weaker concentration. This is commonly done in laboratory settings to prepare solutions for experiments where a specific concentration is required for accurate results. Recognizing that diluting directly contrasts with concentrating a solution can help clarify why this particular answer is correct. Concentrating a solution means to increase the amount of solute relative to the solvent, which is the opposite of dilution. Furthermore, increasing the temperature of a liquid or changing its state of matter does not refer to the process of dilution; these are distinct physical changes that do not impact the concentration of solute in the solution.