Percentage yield and atom economy
I can perform calculations related to various aspects of industrial processes, and explain decision-making about the chosen reaction pathways in those processes.
Percentage yield and atom economy
I can perform calculations related to various aspects of industrial processes, and explain decision-making about the chosen reaction pathways in those processes.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In an ideal chemical reaction, all atoms in the reactants would end up in useful products, with no waste.
- The theoretical yield of a chemical reaction can be calculated from the reaction equation alone.
- The percentage yield shows how actual yield compares with theoretical yield.
- Atom economy is a measure of the efficiency with which a reaction uses its reactants.
- Many factors will be considered when choosing a reaction pathway.
Keywords
Theoretical yield - is the maximum calculated mass of product expected to form from a given mass of reactants
Actual yield - is the actual amount of product obtained from a chemical reaction
Percentage yield - is the actual yield (mass of product obtained) divided by the theoretical yield (maximum mass of product possible), as a percentage
Atom economy - is the percentage, by relative mass, of reactants that are converted into useful products
Useful product - is a chemical product that is desired or valuable
Common misconception
Pupils often confuse percentage yield with atom economy, thinking both measure the same efficiency aspect.
Clarify that percentage yield measures actual vs. theoretical product amount, while atom economy measures reactants' mass converted to desired product.
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Percentage yield and atom economy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Percentage yield and atom economy, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Industrial chemistry unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Maximum calculated mass of product expected to form in a reaction.
Amount of product obtained from a chemical reaction.
Percentage of reactants converted into useful products.