Which statement correctly describes the actual yield and the theoretical yield of a chemical reaction?

• A. The actual yield is always greater than the theoretical yield.
• B. The theoretical yield is the amount of product obtained from the experiment, while the actual yield is the maximum possible amount calculated from the balanced equation.
• C. Actual yield and theoretical yield are always equal in a chemical reaction.
• D. The actual yield is the amount of product obtained from the experiment, while the theoretical yield is the maximum possible amount calculated from the balanced equation.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definitions of actual yield and theoretical yield in a chemical reaction. The actual yield is the amount of product that is actually obtained from an experiment or reaction.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product that can be formed from the given amounts of reactants, calculated using stoichiometry based on the balanced chemical equation.
3. Step 3: Note that the theoretical yield is a calculated value assuming perfect conditions with no losses, while the actual yield is often less due to factors like incomplete reactions, side reactions, or loss during product recovery.
4. Step 4: Compare the two yields: the actual yield is typically less than or equal to the theoretical yield, but never greater, because the theoretical yield represents the maximum possible amount.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct description is: 'The actual yield is the amount of product obtained from the experiment, while the theoretical yield is the maximum possible amount calculated from the balanced equation.'