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CIE A-Level Chemistry Study Notes

2.4.2 Application in Real-world Scenarios

In this section, we will explore the application of stoichiometric principles in real-world scenarios. This understanding is essential for A-level Chemistry students, providing insights into the practical aspects of chemistry in industrial and laboratory settings.

Percentage Yield in Chemical Processes

Understanding Percentage Yield

  • Percentage yield is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction. It is the ratio of the actual yield (the amount of product actually obtained) to the theoretical yield (the amount of product predicted by stoichiometry) expressed as a percentage.
  • The formula for percentage yield is: [Percentage Yield=(Actual YieldTheoretical Yield)×100%][ \text{Percentage Yield} = \left( \frac{\text{Actual Yield}}{\text{Theoretical Yield}} \right) \times 100\% ]
Percent yield or percentage yield definition, formula and example

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Factors Affecting the Yield

  • Several factors can impact the actual yield, including incomplete reactions, side reactions, and loss of product during purification.
  • These factors are especially pertinent in industrial settings, where maximising yield is often a priority.

Practical Applications

  • In the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, a high percentage yield in drug synthesis can significantly reduce costs and waste.
  • Environmental considerations also come into play, as higher yields usually mean fewer byproducts and less waste.

Calculation of Theoretical and Actual Yields

Theoretical Yield

  • Theoretical yield is based on the balanced chemical equation for the reaction.
  • It assumes that all reactants are converted into products, which rarely happens in practice.

Actual Yield

  • The actual yield is the amount of product actually produced in a reaction.
  • It is typically less than the theoretical yield due to various practical limitations.
The actual yield and theoretical yield using an example

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Stoichiometric Relationships in Calculations

Mass, Volume, and Concentration

  • Stoichiometry involves calculations relating to mass, volume, and concentration.
  • The balanced chemical equation is the starting point for these calculations.

Mass Calculations

  • Mass calculations involve using the molar mass of reactants and products.
  • They are crucial in determining how much of each reactant is needed to produce a desired amount of product.

Volume and Concentration

  • For reactions involving solutions or gases, volume and concentration calculations are key.
  • The molarity of solutions and the ideal gas law are often used in these calculations.

Precision and Accuracy in Stoichiometric Calculations

The Role of Significant Figures

  • Significant figures reflect the precision of measured quantities.
  • They are crucial in ensuring the accuracy of stoichiometric calculations.

Rounding Practices

  • Rounding should be done according to the least precise measurement involved in the calculation.
  • This practice helps maintain the integrity of the calculated values.

Relevance in Industry and Research

  • Precision in stoichiometric calculations is vital for scaling up laboratory reactions to industrial production.
  • It also plays a significant role in research and development within the chemical industry.

Case Study: Aspirin Synthesis

Applying Stoichiometric Principles

  • The synthesis of aspirin serves as a practical example of these concepts.
  • Understanding the stoichiometry of the reaction helps in optimising the yield and purity of the product.

Steps for Calculating Yield

1. Balancing the Equation: First, a balanced chemical equation for the synthesis of aspirin is established.

2. Calculating Theoretical Yield: Based on the balanced equation and the amounts of reactants used, the theoretical yield of aspirin is calculated.

3. Measuring Actual Yield: After conducting the reaction, the actual amount of aspirin produced is measured.

4. Determining Percentage Yield: The percentage yield is then calculated using the actual and theoretical yields.

Calculation of percentage yield from the actual yield and theoretical yield

Image courtesy of Nagwa

In conclusion, this section has provided a comprehensive overview of the application of stoichiometric principles in real-world scenarios. This includes understanding and calculating percentage yield, deducing stoichiometric relationships from various types of data, and the importance of precision and accuracy in chemical calculations. These principles are fundamental in the study of chemistry and have wide-ranging applications in industry and research.

FAQ

The concept of excess reagents is important in the calculation of percentage yield as it impacts the amount of product formed in a reaction. An excess reagent is present in a greater amount than required by the stoichiometric ratios of the balanced chemical equation. This excess ensures that the limiting reagent is completely used up, maximizing the potential yield of the product. However, the presence of an excess reagent does not increase the theoretical yield, which is always calculated based on the limiting reagent. When calculating the percentage yield, the actual yield obtained is compared to the theoretical yield, which remains constant regardless of the excess reagent. In practical scenarios, using an excess of one or more reagents can be a strategy to drive the reaction to completion or to compensate for side reactions and losses. However, it is essential to balance the cost and feasibility of using excess reagents against the desired yield and purity of the product in industrial processes.

Temperature and pressure variations play a significant role in stoichiometric calculations involving gases due to the gas laws that govern the behavior of gases. According to the ideal gas law (PV=nRT), where P is pressure, V is volume, n is the number of moles, R is the gas constant, and T is temperature, changes in temperature or pressure can significantly alter the volume of a gas. In stoichiometry, this is crucial when dealing with reactions involving gaseous reactants or products. For instance, an increase in temperature, while keeping pressure constant, will increase the volume of a gas, potentially altering the stoichiometric ratios. Similarly, an increase in pressure, at constant temperature, decreases the volume. These changes must be accounted for in calculations to ensure the correct amounts of gaseous reactants or products are used or formed. This is particularly important in industrial settings where reactions are carried out under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Accurate adjustments for these variables are necessary for the reliable scaling of reactions from laboratory to industrial scales.

Stoichiometry plays a crucial role in environmental chemistry, particularly in the field of pollution control. It is instrumental in quantifying and managing the reactions involved in the treatment of pollutants. For example, in the treatment of wastewater, stoichiometric calculations are used to determine the exact amounts of reactants needed to neutralize harmful substances or to facilitate their breakdown into less harmful forms. Similarly, in air pollution control, stoichiometry is used to design processes that reduce emissions of harmful gases, such as designing scrubbers and catalytic converters that use specific reagents to react with and neutralize pollutants like sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides. Accurate stoichiometric calculations ensure that these processes are efficient, cost-effective, and minimize the production of secondary pollutants. Moreover, in the development of sustainable and green chemistry practices, stoichiometry helps in designing reactions that maximize the use of raw materials and minimize waste, contributing to more environmentally friendly industrial processes. Understanding the stoichiometric relationships in reactions involved in pollution control is therefore essential for developing effective environmental management strategies.

Considering the purity of reactants is essential in stoichiometric calculations, especially in real-world scenarios, because impurities in reactants can significantly affect the outcome of a chemical reaction. The presence of impurities means that not all of the reactant mass contributes to the desired reaction. For instance, if a reactant is only 90% pure, only 90% of its mass is active in the reaction. This must be factored into stoichiometric calculations to determine the correct amounts of reactants required and to accurately predict the theoretical yield. Neglecting the purity can lead to overestimation or underestimation of the required reactants, affecting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the process. In industrial applications, where large-scale reactions are common, even a small percentage of impurity can lead to significant discrepancies in yields and material costs. Therefore, adjusting calculations for reactant purity is a critical step in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of stoichiometric calculations in practical chemistry.

The concept of limiting reagents is pivotal in determining the theoretical yield of a reaction. In a chemical reaction, the limiting reagent is the reactant that is entirely consumed first, thus dictating when the reaction stops and determining the maximum amount of product that can be formed. To calculate the theoretical yield, one must first identify the limiting reagent by comparing the mole ratios of the reactants to the ratios in the balanced chemical equation. Once identified, the amount of product expected from the complete consumption of the limiting reagent is calculated using stoichiometry. This calculated amount represents the theoretical yield of the reaction. If the limiting reagent is not correctly identified, the theoretical yield calculated will be inaccurate, leading to erroneous percentage yield calculations. Therefore, understanding and applying the concept of limiting reagents is crucial in accurately predicting the outcomes of chemical reactions, especially in industrial processes where efficiency and cost-effectiveness are key.

Practice Questions

In the industrial synthesis of ammonia (NH₃), 200 kg of nitrogen gas (N₂) reacted with an excess of hydrogen gas (H₂). The reaction produced 340 kg of ammonia. Calculate the percentage yield of the reaction. (The balanced equation for the reaction is N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) → 2NH₃(g))

First, calculate the theoretical yield using the balanced equation. The molar ratio of N₂ to NH₃ is 1:2. The molar mass of N₂ is 28 g/mol, so 200 kg of N₂ is 200,000 g, which equals 200,000 g / 28 g/mol ≈ 7142.86 moles of N₂. Therefore, the theoretical yield of NH₃ is 2 × 7142.86 ≈ 14285.71 moles. The molar mass of NH₃ is 17 g/mol, so the theoretical yield in grams is 14285.71 moles × 17 g/mol ≈ 242857.14 g or 242.857 kg. The percentage yield is then (Actual yield / Theoretical yield) × 100 = (340 kg / 242.857 kg) × 100 ≈ 140.03%. The percentage yield is thus 140.03%.

A student carried out a reaction to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and obtained 9.8 grams of product. The stoichiometric calculations predicted a yield of 10.5 grams. Calculate the percentage yield of calcium carbonate in this reaction.

To calculate the percentage yield, use the formula (Actualyield/Theoreticalyield)×100(Actual yield / Theoretical yield) × 100. The actual yield is given as 9.8 grams, and the theoretical yield is 10.5 grams. Thus, the percentage yield is (9.8g/10.5g)×10093.33(9.8 g / 10.5 g) × 100 ≈ 93.33%. This means the student was able to obtain 93.33% of the calcium carbonate predicted by the stoichiometric calculations. This percentage indicates a relatively high efficiency in the reaction, albeit with a small discrepancy that could be due to experimental errors or incomplete reaction.

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