1. What is Percent Yield?

Percent yield is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction. It compares the actual yield (amount of product actually obtained) to the theoretical yield (maximum possible amount of product).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percent yield formula:

Where:

• Actual Yield — Amount of product actually obtained (grams)
• Theoretical Yield — Maximum possible amount of product (grams)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the theoretical maximum was actually achieved in the reaction.

3. Importance of Percent Yield

Details: Percent yield helps chemists evaluate reaction efficiency, identify potential problems in synthesis procedures, and optimize reaction conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both actual and theoretical yields in grams. Both values must be positive numbers. The result shows what percentage of the theoretical yield was actually obtained.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good percent yield?
A: In industry, yields above 90% are excellent, while academic research often considers yields above 70% acceptable. However, this varies by reaction type.

Q2: Why might percent yield be over 100%?
A: This could indicate impurities in the product, incomplete drying, or errors in theoretical yield calculation.

Q3: How can I improve my percent yield?
A: Optimize reaction conditions, minimize side reactions, ensure complete product recovery, and use pure starting materials.

Q4: What's the difference between actual and theoretical yield?
A: Theoretical yield is calculated from stoichiometry; actual yield is what you measure in the lab.

Q5: When is percent yield most important?
A: Particularly crucial in industrial processes where efficiency impacts profitability, and in multi-step syntheses where low yields compound.