What is the difference between theoretical and actual yield?

Theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product predicted from a chemical reaction, while actual yield is the amount actually produced.

Theoretical yield is a term used in chemistry to describe the maximum amount of product that could be created from a chemical reaction, under perfect conditions. This is calculated based on the stoichiometry of the reaction, which is the mathematical relationship between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Theoretical yield is often expressed in grams or moles, and it represents an ideal scenario where every single reactant molecule reacts to form a product molecule, with no losses or side reactions.

On the other hand, actual yield is the amount of product that is actually produced when the reaction is carried out in a real-world laboratory setting. It is often less than the theoretical yield due to various factors such as incomplete reactions, losses during product recovery, side reactions, or practical errors during the experiment. The actual yield is what you measure at the end of an experiment, and it is also expressed in grams or moles.

The difference between theoretical and actual yield is often expressed as a percentage known as the percent yield. This is calculated by dividing the actual yield by the theoretical yield, and then multiplying by 100. The percent yield is a measure of the efficiency of a reaction, with a higher percent yield indicating a more efficient reaction. Understanding the difference between theoretical and actual yield, and being able to calculate percent yield, are important skills in chemistry as they allow you to evaluate the success and efficiency of your experiments.