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Calculate percentage yield from actual and theoretical yield

Quantitative chemistry • Yield and atom economy

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product predicted when the limiting reagent reacts completely.
  • Accurate calculation necessitates balanced chemical equations and converting masses to moles, identifying the limiting reagent.
  • Theoretical yield can be expressed in mass or moles; converting from moles to mass requires the relative formula mass (Mr).
  • Errors such as incorrect stoichiometry or failure to identify the limiting reagent lead to incorrect theoretical and percentage yields.

Flashcards

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How is the limiting reagent identified?

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Compare moles of reactants using the balanced equation; the reactant yielding the smallest amount of product is limiting.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Use the balanced chemical equation to find mole ratios before calculating theoretical yield.

Convert masses to moles using relative formula mass (Mr) to ensure matching units.

Identify the limiting reagent; theoretical yield depends on the limiting reagent only.

Express actual and theoretical yields in the same units before applying the percentage formula.

Percentage yield = (actual ÷ theoretical) × 100%; values over 100% indicate error or impurity.

List practical loss factors such as filtration or transfer to explain low yields.

Verify calculations and measurements when percentage yield seems unreasonable.

Report percentage yield using appropriate significant figures based on data precision.

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