Chapter 3, Problem 3.108P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The highest possible percentage yield of ${\text{N}}_2$ is to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

Limiting reagent is the reactant that is present in the least amount and hence governs the amount of products formed.

In order to determine the limiting reactant firstly a balanced equation is written, then the amount of each reactant given is converted to corresponding moles. Further on the basis of the stoichiometric molar ratio by which reactants combine, amount of product formed from each of the reactants is calculated. The reactant that forms a lesser amount of product gives us the limiting reactant.

The expression to determine the percentage yield is as follows:

  $\text{Percentage yield}=\left(\frac{\text{actual}\text{yield}}{\text{theoretical yield}}\right)\left(100\text{ \%}\right)$