Final answer:
Chemical concentrations, such as those in sanitizer solutions, are determined by the amount of solute dissolved in a solvent. They are often expressed as percentages, parts per million, or parts per billion, and accurate measurement is critical for efficacy and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Solution Concentration
Concentration in chemistry refers to how much solute is dissolved in a certain amount of solvent. It's measured in various ways depending on the precision required, including percentages, mass (weight) of the solute relative to the total mass of the solution, or in parts per million (ppm) and parts per billion (ppb). When preparing a sanitizer solution, it's crucial to achieve the right concentration, as too much water can weaken it, and too much chemical sanitizer can make it unsafe. An optimal concentration is achieved by ensuring the amount of sanitizer is in the right proportion to the water.
For example, a sanitizer indicating a 5% solution by mass means that there are 5 grams of sanitizer for every 95 grams of water, totalling 100 grams of the solution. Precise concentration measurement can involve using laboratory equipment like a scale for weighing and a volumetric flask for measuring liquid.