TITLE

Stoichiometry and Theoretical Yield

METHODS
1. Required volume ( as stated in Table 4.1) were dispensed from the burette on the side
bench.

REACTION 0.50M CaCl2 1.50M Na2CO3

1 20.00mL 10.00mL

2 20.00mL 5.00mL
TABLE 4.1
2. The flask was swirled and left it aside for five minutes to allow the precipitate to
completely form.
3. The product was filtered using a Bunchner funnel.
4. The sides of the conical flask were washed with a small amount of distilled water and
added to this filter paper.
5. The filter paper was then removed and placed on a pre-weighed watch glass. The
product was dried in the oven for half an hour.
6. The product (CaCO3) was scraped from the filter paper onto the watch glass.
7. The filter paper was discarded and the watch glass was returned to the oven for a further
ten minutes.
8. The mass of the product was determined. Reheat and the mass of the product was
redetermined for 3 times to complete dryness and until get two weighing that are within
0.02g of one another.
9. The amount of CaCO3 obtained was compared with the expected value. The limiting
reactant, excess reactant were identified and the percent yield was calculated.

RESULTS
(refer to data sheet)

QUESTIONS
1. For each of the two reactions :
a) Write a balanced chemical equation
𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑙2(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑁𝑎2𝐶𝑂3 (𝑎𝑞) → 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 (𝑠) + 2𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 (𝑎𝑞)
b) Determine the limiting reactant
Reaction 1
Mol of CaCl2 = MV Mol of Na2CO3 = MV
= 0.02L × 0.5M = 0.01 L × 1.5M
= 0.01 mol = 0.015 mol

1 mol Na2CO3 ≡ 1 mol CaCO3

1 mol CaCl2 ≡ 1 mol CaCO3
0.015 mol NaCO3 ≡ 0.015 mol CaCO3
0.01 mol CaCl2 ≡ 0.01 mol CaCO3

*CaCl2 is the limiting reactant because it produces smaller mol of CaCO3.

Reaction 2
Mol of CaCl2 = MV Mol of Na2CO3 = MV
= 0.02L × 0.5 = 0.005 L × 1.5M
= 0.01 mol = 0.0075 mol

1 mol CaCl2 ≡ 1 mol CaCO3 1 mol Na2CO3 ≡ 1 mol CaCO3

0.01 mol CaCl2 ≡ 0.01 mol CaCO3 0.0075 mol NaCO3 ≡ 0.0075 mol CaCO3
*NaCO3 is the limiting reactant because it produces smaller mol of CaCO3.

c) Determine the theoretical yield

Reaction 1
Molar mass of CaCO3 = 40.078 + 12.011 + (3 × 15.999)
= 100.086 g/mol

Theoretical yield of CaCO3 = 0.01 mol × 100.086 g/mol

= 1.00086 g

Reaction 2
Theoretical yield of CaCO3 = 0.0075 mol × 100.086 g/mol
= 0.75065 g

d) Determine the percent yield of the product

Reaction 1
Percentage yield = ( actual yield ÷ theoretical yield ) × 100
= (0.9461 ÷ 1.00086) × 100
=94.53%

Reaction 2
Percentage yield = ( actual yield ÷ theoretical yield ) × 100
= (0.6629 ÷ 0.75065) × 100
=88.31%
 2. Was the yield you obtained satisfactory? Justify your answer.
Yes because less than 100% yield is obtained from the experiment as there are some
small losses of product yield. For reaction 1, the loss amount is 5.47% while in reaction
2, the loss amount is 11.69%.

DISCUSSION
𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑙2(𝑎𝑞) + 𝑁𝑎2𝐶𝑂3 (𝑎𝑞) → 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 (𝑠) + 2𝑁𝑎𝐶𝑙 (𝑎𝑞)

In reaction 1, the number of moles for reactants CaCl2 and Na2CO3 are 0.01 mol and 0.015 mol
respectively. From the equation, the number of moles of the product which is CaCO3 is 0.015
mol. Based on the calculations, the limiting reactant is CaCl2 because it produces a smaller
number of moles of the product (0.01 mol) while Na2CO3 is the excess reactant. The theoretical
yield for this reaction is 1.00086g and the actual yield is 0.9461g. By using formula :

percentage yield = (actual yield ÷ theoretical yield) × 100

the percentage yield obtained is 94.53%. The percentage yield is lower than 100% because of
loss of sample during experiment.

In reaction 2, the number of moles for reactants CaCl2 and Na2CO3 are 0.01 mol and 0.0075 mol
respectively. From the equation, the number of moles of the product which is CaCO3 is 0.0075
mol. Based on the calculations, the limiting reactant is Na2CO3 because it produces a smaller
number of moles of the product (0.0075 mol) while CaCl2 is the excess reactant. The theoretical
yield for this reaction is 0.75065g and the actual yield is 0.6629g. By using formula :

percentage yield = (actual yield ÷ theoretical yield) × 100

the percentage yield obtained is 88.31%. The percentage yield is lower than 100% because of
loss of sample during experiment.

There are some precaution steps to avoid this problem. First of all, a method of heating to
constant could be used to avoid this error. Moreover, the wet filter sheets must be placed in a
closed environment. The solutions also should be mixed properly to ensure that all of the solid
particles will fully decompose. Then, use the accurate equipment to get accurate readings of
measurement.

Ways to minimize these experimental errors is ensure the reaction is complete.This can be
achieved by allowing sufficient time for the reaction to reach equilibrium or by using catalysts or
appropriate reaction conditions. Next, use pure reactants because impurities in reactants can
lead to side reactions or decrease the yield. Therefore, using high-purity chemicals or purifying
the reactants before the reaction can help minimize this error. Next, the efficient product
isolation whereas loss of product during isolation can contribute to lower percent yield. Proper
techniques for product isolation, such as filtration, crystallization, distillation, or extraction,
should be employed to minimize product loss. Lastly, must take the accurate measurement
because errors in measuring the quantities of reactants and products can affect the calculated
percent yield. Use calibrated instruments and follow good laboratory practices for accurate
measurements. Repeat measurements and average the results to enhance precision.

CONCLUSION
From the Reaction 1, the limiting reactant is Calcium chloride and the excess reactant is Sodium
carbonate. The percentage yield is 94.53%.

In Reaction 2, the limiting reactant is Sodium carbonate while the excess reactant is Calcium
chloride. The percentage yield is 88.31%.

REFERENCES
Belford, R. (2016, June 3). 4.3: Percent Yield. Chemistry LibreTexts.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_Arkansas_Little_Rock/Chem_1402%3A_Gen
eral_Chemistry_1_(Belford)/Text/4%3A_Stoichiometry%3A_Quantitative_Information_about_Ch
emical_Reactions/4.3%3A_Percent_Yield#:~:text=Percent%20Yield%20is%20defined%20as

Libretexts. (2013, October 2). Stoichiometry and Balancing Reactions. Chemistry LibreTexts.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Web
sites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Chemical_Reactions/Stoichiometry_and_Balancing_Reactions