Final answer:
The easiest way to lower the concentration of a sample is through dilution, which involves adding more solvent to the solution. This increases the solution's total volume and reduces the concentration of the solute.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the concentration of a sample is too high, the easiest way to lower it is through dilution. Dilution is the process of adding solvent to a solution, which decreases the concentration of the solute. This method increases the volume of the solvent and the overall volume of the solution while reducing the relative concentration of the solute.
For example, when ice melts in a glass of iced tea, the water from the ice dilutes the tea, leading to a lower concentration of the tea flavor because of the increased amount of water. Similarly, laboratory workers anticipate dilution needs when executing experiments or protocols, and they often use a stock solution to prepare diluted solutions with a lower concentration. The exact amount of solvent added to achieve the desired concentration can be determined using the dilution equation.