Preparation of Solutions and Reagents

Abstract

The ability to prepare accurate solutions, reagents, and buffers will determine the outcome of a successful experiment. Much time and effort spent in a lab will consist of making solutions, reagents, and buffers. This chapter introduces and refreshes the skill of making solutions including: molarity (M) concentration, percentage (%) concentration, mass/volume concentrations, X-factor concentration, working concentrations from stock solutions, conversions from percentage (%) to molarity (M) concentration, and conversions from molarity (M) to percentage (%) concentration. Basic formulas and examples for how to make solution concentrations are covered.

Keywords: Buffers; Dilutions; Media; Molarity; Solutions; X-factor concentration.