Final answer:
The ratio of 5 parts sample volume to 10 parts diluent volume simplifies to 1:2. The concept of ratios and their use in dilutions is common in chemistry, particularly in techniques such as logarithmic dilution, which can drastically lower concentrations through repeated dilution steps.
Step-by-step explanation:
When 5 parts of a sample volume are combined with 10 parts of a diluent volume, the resulting ratio is the relationship of the sample to the diluent. To express this ratio mathematically, you simply divide the quantity of the sample by the quantity of the diluent, which is 5:10. However, this ratio can be simplified by dividing both sides by the greatest common divisor, which in this case is 5. Thus, the simplified ratio is 1:2.
The concept of ratios is often used in dilution calculations in chemistry. A common method of dilution is logarithmic dilution, where a unit volume of solution is multiplied by a set factor (commonly 10) in each step. In the student's question, the process is not a complete logarithmic dilution because the dilution factor is not 10. However, if we continue adding 10 parts of diluent to 1 part of the existing solution repeatedly, we would have a series of 10-fold dilutions, which are logarithmic dilutions. Repeating logarithmic dilutions can quickly decrease a solution's concentration, as shown in the example where five steps of logarithmic dilution on a 10% initial solution results in a concentration of 10 ppm in the final solution.