The Percentage Yield of O2 in the Electrolysis of Water

The electrolysis of water forms H2 and O2

2H2O ➜ 2H2 + O2



What is the percent yield of O2 if 10.2 g of O2 is produced from the decomposition of 17.0 g of H2O?

Use mc017-2.jpg.

15.1%

33.8%

60.1%

67.6%

  1. Chemical equation
  2. 2H2O ➜ 2H2 + O2

  3. theoretical molar ratios:
  4. 2 mol H2O : 2 mol H2 : 1 mol O2

  5. determine the number of moles in 17.0 g of H2O and 10.2 g of O2
  6. number of moles = mass in grams / molar mass

    molar mass of H2O = 18.02 g/mol

    molar mass of O2 = 32.00 g/mol

    number of moles of H2O = 17.0 g / 18.02 g/mol = 0.943 moles

    number of moles of O2 = 10.2 g / 32.0 g = 0.319 mol O2

  7. theoretical yield
  8. 2 mol H2O / 1 mol O2 = 0.943 mol H2O / x ➜ x = 0.943 mol H2O * 1 mol O2 / 2 mol H2O = 0.472 mol O2

  9. Percent yield
  10. Percent yield = (actual moles / theoretical moles) * 100 = (0.319 / 0.472)*100 = 67.6%

Answer: the fourth option 67.6%

What is the percent yield of O2 if 10.2 g of O2 is produced from the decomposition of 17.0 g of H2O?

The answer is D. 67.6%

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