Theoretical and actual yield
Theoretical and actual yield
The theoretical yield is the maximum mass of product that could form if every particle of the limiting reactant were converted. It is calculated from the balanced equation, so it is a predicted ceiling rather than a laboratory measurement.
Step-by-step lessons on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 6.2.2 Percentage yield and why actual yield falls short. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Nail the core quantitative topics — moles, balancing equations and calculations — early on, since they underpin higher-tier questions across every paper and topic.