Why Percentage Yield Is Not 100% Flashcards

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What does it mean if the percentage yield of a reaction is less than 100%?

It means you got less product than you expected because some product was lost or not made.

In a reversible reaction, some reactants always remain at equilibrium, so not all reactant turns into product.

If the reaction does not go to completion, some reactant stays unreacted, so less product forms.

Some reactants take part in other reactions and form unwanted products, so there is less of the main product.

Impurities add extra mass that cannot form the wanted product, so the actual product mass is less than expected.

Some solid or liquid stays stuck to the container or spatula, so not all of it is transferred and some product is lost.

Some of the product can pass through the filter, stay dissolved, or be left behind on the filter paper or glassware.

Gases can escape into the air if the equipment is not sealed well or if the gas is not collected fully.

If the product mass is measured too low, the calculated actual yield is smaller, so the percentage yield seems lower.

Because there are always some losses, such as incomplete reaction, side reactions, transfer losses, and measurement errors.