Dilution is the process of lowering a solution's concentration by adding more solvent while keeping the amount of solute constant. This process is governed by the equation M1V1=M2V2, where M is molarity and V is volume, with subscripts 1 and 2 referring to the initial stock solution and the final diluted solution, respectively. This formula is used to calculate the volume of a concentrated stock solution needed to achieve a desired final concentration and volume. A crucial safety rule, especially when working with strong acids, is to always add acid to water to safely dissipate the heat generated. For highly accurate results with very low concentrations, chemists often perform a serial dilution, which involves a series of small, sequential dilutions rather than a single large one.