ToolsArena.Net

Percent Yield Calculator

Calculate the percent yield of a chemical reaction from actual and theoretical yield.

Google ad

Popular Calculators

FAQs

What is the theoretical yield and how is it calculated?

Theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product predicted by the balanced chemical equation, assuming complete reaction with no losses. It is calculated using stoichiometry: find the limiting reagent, calculate moles of product from moles of limiting reagent, convert to grams using molar mass.

Why is percent yield never 100% in practice?

Yield losses occur due to: incomplete reaction (equilibrium), competing side reactions producing unwanted products, product left on glassware or filter paper, evaporation of volatile products, and measurement errors. Industrial processes are optimised to maximise yield, as even 1% improvement can save significant costs.

Can percent yield ever exceed 100%?

Theoretically no — percent yield above 100% indicates an error. Common causes include: product not fully dried (water adds mass), impurities remaining in the product, calculation error in theoretical yield, or weighing error. A yield over 100% always signals a problem with the experimental procedure or calculation.