Theoretical Yield Calculator

Theoretical Yield Calculator:

Use this theoretical yield calculator to find the maximum amount of product that can be formed from a given chemical reaction. It also calculates the limiting reagent and the stoichiometry of the product between the moles of reactants and the product formed.

What Is Theoretical Yield?

In chemistry, theoretical yield is said to be the maximum quantity of product that can be produced in a chemical reaction. However, it can be obtained under perfect conditions, where no product is lost in the process.

Ideal Conditions for Theoretical Yield:

No impurities mixed in the reactants
No production of unexpected products that can reduce the yield
There is no loss of product because of any measurement, processing, and handling of reactants or products

Limiting Reagent:

In a chemical reaction, the limiting reagent is a reactant that is completely used up first. It helps to determine how much product can be formed. Meanwhile, it limits" the amount of product that is formed in a chemical reaction.

Stoichiometry:

Stoichiometry is the study of relationships between reactants and products in chemical reactions. It finds the mole ratios of reactants and products, helping you understand how much quantity of a substance is needed to react with another substance.

The numbers in front of each ingredient in a chemical reaction are the reactant's stoichiometry. If no number is found, then the stoichiometry is said to be 1. Keep in mind that stoichiometry is needed to reflect the ratios of molecules that come together to form a product.

Theoretical Yield Formula:

Theoretical Yield = n(limiting reagent) × M(product) × C(product)

Where:

n(limiting reagent): Represents the number of moles of the limiting reagent
M(product): It is the molar mass of the desired product (in grams per mole)
C(product): It represents the stoichiometric coefficient of the product from the balanced chemical equation. This is the ratio in which the product is formed

Note: Keep in mind that all stoichiometric calculations, including finding the limiting reagent and using the theoretical yield formula, require you to have a balanced chemical equation.

How To Calculate Theoretical Yield?

For theoretical yield calculation, follow these steps:

Balance the Chemical Equation
Recognize The Limiting Reactant
Determine The Moles of Limiting Reagent
Use The Theoretical Yield Equation

Theoretical Yield Example:

In a combustion reaction, 44 grams of propane (C₃H₈) reacts with 128 grams of oxygen (O₂). Calculate the theoretical yield of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Solution:

Step 1: Write the Balanced Chemical Equation

C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O

Step 2: Identify the Given Data

Mass of propane (C₃H₈) = 44 g
Mass of oxygen (O₂) = 128 g
Molar masses:
- C₃H₈ = 44.1 g/mol
- O₂ = 32 g/mol
- CO₂ = 44 g/mol

Step 3: Find the Moles of Each Reactant

Moles of C₃H₈:
44 g ÷ 44.1 g/mol = 1.00 mol

Moles of O₂:
128 g ÷ 32 g/mol = 4.00 mol

Step 4: Determine the Limiting Reactant

From the balanced equation:

1 mol of C₃H₈ reacts with 5 mol of O₂.
We have 4 mol of O₂, but we need 5 mol to fully react with 1 mol of C₃H₈.
O₂ is the limiting reactant because we don't have enough of it.

Step 5: Calculate the Moles of CO₂ Produced

From the balanced equation:
5O₂ → 3CO₂

Since we have 4 mol of O₂ instead of 5:
Moles of CO₂ = (3/5) × 4 = 2.4 mol CO₂

Step 6: Convert Moles of CO₂ to Mass

Mass of CO₂ = 2.4 × 44 = 105.6 g

Final Answer:

The theoretical yield of CO₂ is 105.6 g.

Summary:

Limiting Reagent Moles = 4 moles (O₂)
Theoretical Yield of CO₂ = 105.6 grams (CO₂)

You can easily simplify these calculations by using our chemistry theoretical yield calculator and make an informed decision to optimize the chemical process.

Why Is It Important To Calculate Theoretical Yield?

Calculating theoretical yield is important for various reasons, including:

Reaction Optimization: Helps to recognize the area for improvement by comparing the actual and theoretical yield
Resource Management: Minimize the waste by providing the maximum product yield
Estimating the Cost: By calculating the theoretical yield, industries can easily predict the final product cost
Maintaining Product Quality: Determines the amount of reactant required to form the quality product
Understanding The Mechanisms of Reactions: Finding theoretical yield provides insight into chemical processes and side reaction

How To Use The Theoretical Yield Calculator?

Step #1: Input Limiting Reagent:

Mass of The Limiting Reagent: Input the mass of the limiting reagent
Molecular Weight: Enter the molecular weight of the limiting reagent
Stoichiometry: If available then you should provide the stoichiometry ratio

Step #2: Input Desired Product

Moles of Product: Enter the moles of the expected product in the designated field
Molecular Weight of the Product: Provide the molecular weight of the product

Step #3: Calculate

Click on the “Calculate” button and the calculator will provide the theoretical yield in grams, along with some additional information

FAQ’s:

What is The Effect of Concentration on Yield?

Increasing the concentration of reactants enhances the rate of the reaction. A higher rate of reactions means more reactant molecules are present, leading to more frequent collisions. Therefore more reactions occur, leading to a high yield.

What's The Difference Between Theoretical Yield And Actual Yield?

Theoretical Yield: The predicted amount of product that can be formed in a chemical reaction based on stoichiometric calculations
Actual Yield: The actual quantity of the product produced in a chemical reaction

The actual yield is always lower than the theoretical yield because of the happening of side reactions and the occurrence of impurities.

References:

From a chem.libretexts – All about chemistry - Excess reagent, limiting reagent – Theoretical Yield.

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