Question

What is the theoretical yield of methyl benzoate in a reaction if the actual yield obtained is 85% of the theoretical yield?

A) 115%
B) 85%
C) 100%
D) 70%

Answer 1

The theoretical yield is always considered to be 100%, as it represents the maximum amount of product that can be theoretically produced in a reaction. The actual yield is given as a percentage of this theoretical yield.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the actual yield of methyl benzoate obtained is 85% of the theoretical yield, then the theoretical yield by definition is 100%. The question is asking what the theoretical yield is if the actual yield is a certain percentage of it.

Since theoretical yield represents the maximum amount of product that could be produced from a reaction, and the actual yield is a proportion of this maximum, a theoretical yield is always set at 100% for calculation purposes, regardless of the actual yield obtained.