What is meant by the term "dilution"?

Dilution refers specifically to the process of decreasing the concentration of a solute in a solution. This is typically achieved by adding more solvent to the solution, which spreads the solute particles over a larger volume, thus reducing the concentration.

When you dilute a solution, the amount of solute remains constant; however, because you are increasing the volume of solvent, the ratio of solute to solution decreases, leading to a lower concentration. This concept is fundamental in chemistry, particularly in preparing solutions for various applications, as it allows for precise control over the concentrations needed for reactions or experiments.

Understanding dilution is crucial in lab settings, where accurate concentrations are necessary for reliable results.