1. What is Percent Yield?

Percent yield is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction or process. It compares the actual amount of product obtained (actual yield) to the maximum possible amount (theoretical yield) that could be produced under perfect conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the percent yield formula:

Where:

• Actual — The amount of product actually obtained from the reaction
• Theoretical — The maximum amount of product possible (calculated from stoichiometry)

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

3. Importance of Percent Yield

Details: Percent yield is crucial in chemistry for evaluating reaction efficiency, optimizing processes, and calculating economic viability. High yields are desirable as they indicate efficient use of resources.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both actual and theoretical yields in the same units (grams, moles, etc.). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good percent yield?
A: In industry, yields above 90% are excellent, while academic labs often consider 70-90% good. Yields vary by reaction type.

Q2: Why might percent yield be less than 100%?
A: Common reasons include incomplete reactions, side reactions, product loss during purification, and measurement errors.

Q3: Can percent yield be over 100%?
A: Yes, though this usually indicates impurities, incomplete drying, or measurement errors rather than a true yield.

Q4: How does this differ from atom economy?
A: Atom economy considers all atoms in reactants, while percent yield compares actual to theoretical product.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: Use consistent units (grams, moles, etc.) for both actual and theoretical yields.