Calculating Theoretical Yield

[Montana James 4G]

I know that theoretical yield is directly related to the limiting reactant, but how do you know how much of the limiting reactant is used in the reaction? Would it just be the whole amount given in the problem?-- In which case, the theoretical yield would be the same number as the number of grams of the limiting reactant?

[Kevin Liu 1J]

I believe once you figure out which reagent is the limiting reagent, you must use the whole amount given in the problem for the limiting reagent calculation. So yes, the theoretical yield would be the same as the amount of the limiting reagent.

[Lara Kristine Bacasen 1L]

Yes, the limiting reactant is the thing that limits the yield so all of it will be used while the other reactant is in excess. In calculating the theoretical yield you also need to look at the molar ratios to determine how much the theoretical yield should be for the reaction. Hope this helps.

[BritneyP- 2c]

The theoretical yield should be the same as the limiting reactant, but remember that the theoretical yield will always be more than the actual yield due to outside factors such as solutions being stuck on the side of the beaker.

[Trent Yamamoto 2J]

Usually the amount of the limiting reactant is given in the problem, but it can either be in moles or grams. After you figure out what the limiting reactant is, you can multiply that based on the mole ratio and molar mass of the product you're trying to find the theoretical yield for to get the actual theoretical yield.

[Brianna Becerra 1B]

The theoretical yield is based off of the limiting reactant because the only reason the reaction stops at a certain point is because the limiting reactant has essentially run out. It can not have a theoretical yield larger then possible by the limiting reactant. Theoretical yield assumes everything stays constant during the reaction so it would also not be less then what is possible by the limiting reactant. If you were considering other side effects, this would be the actual yield.

[Megan_1F]

The limiting reactant will yield how much product is made.

[Quynh Vo]

The theoretical yield is the best possible outcome which means it would have to use the entire limiting reagent.

[305376058]

Once you find your limiting reactant, you use the number of moles of that reactant that are present, because the limiting reactant is what dictates the amount ultimately produced through the reaction. This is how you find out what the theoretical yield should be, and you can then compare that to the actual and determine percent yield.

[Abraham De Luna]

Most of the time the limiting reactant is given in the problem, but it can either be in moles or grams it just depends on the circumstance.