What volume of concentrated nitric acid (10.0 M) is required to make 300 mL of a 2.5 M nitric acid solution?

To determine the volume of concentrated nitric acid needed to prepare a diluted solution of a specified molarity, the concept of dilution can be applied, which is expressed mathematically by the formula:

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

In this equation:

• C₁ is the concentration of the concentrated solution (10.0 M),

• V₁ is the volume of the concentrated solution that we need to find,

• C₂ is the concentration of the diluted solution (2.5 M), and

• V₂ is the final volume of the diluted solution (300 mL).

By substituting the known values into the equation:

(10.0 M)(V₁) = (2.5 M)(300 mL)

This simplifies to:

10.0V₁ = 750

To find V₁, divide both sides by 10.0:

V₁ = 750 / 10.0 = 75 mL

Thus, 75 mL of concentrated nitric acid is required to make 300 mL of a 2.5 M solution. This calculation allows for the precise preparation of solutions in analytical chemistry, ensuring that the desired concentration is achieved through accurate measurement and understanding