BLEND INGREDIENTS TO OBTAIN A HOMOGENOUS MIXTURE 3. GEOMETRIC DILUTION Geometric dilution is a blending process used to blend two or more ingredients of unequal quantities. It is designed to help ensure that small quantities of ingredients, usually potent drugs, are uniformly distributed throughout the blended mixture. Chemicals: Dye powder (mimicking an active ingredient) Diluent: Anhydrous Lactose, NF Supplies: 16 oz Glass mortar and pestle, mortar card, 1 teaspoon, lactose, powder dye (to be dispensed by TA) Directions Have an instructor place a small amount of dye powder into your 16 oz glass mortar. Technique Add an amount of lactose to the mortar APPROXIMATELY equal to the amount of dye that is already within the mortar. Triturate in the mortar using the pestle in circular motions. Scrape down the powder from the sides of the mortar using the mortar card. Create a pile of powder at the bottom of the mortar. Visualize this amount. Continue adding lactose to the mortar in amounts APPROXIMATELY equal to the visualized amount in the mortar, scraping the sides of the mortar periodically with the mortar card. Continue this process for 7 additions of lactose. You should end up with a homogenous mixture of dye and lactose when you are done. Have final product checked by an instructor. Clean-Up Discard powder in garbage and wipe mortar and pestle clean with a paper towel (do not wash) and return supplies to bench. Discussion Questions 1. What do you think a challenge might be to using this procedure if there were no dye included in the compound? 2. How can you assure adequate dispersion of your product