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Transition Metals, Quantitative Chemistry and Industrial Processes

Atom economy

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

What atom economy measures and how it is calculated from the balanced equation, how it differs from percentage yield, and worked atom economies for making calcium oxide, iron, copper, ammonia, hydrogen, magnesium chloride and oxygen.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Explain why a high atom economy matters in industry.

Key term

Distinguish between percentage yield and atom economy.

Key term

Explain why an atom economy of 100% does not mean all the reactant is converted in practice.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does the atom economy of a reaction measure?

    Model answer

    It measures the proportion of the mass of the reactants that ends up as the desired product.

  2. 2

    State the expression used to find the atom economy of a reaction.

    Model answer

    Atom economy is the relative formula mass of the desired product divided by the total relative formula mass of all the products, multiplied by 100.

  3. 3

    What is the atom economy of a reaction that forms only one product?

    Model answer

    It is 100%, because every atom from the reactants ends up in the desired product.

  4. 4

    Explain why a high atom economy matters in industry.

    Model answer

    Less of the reactant mass is wasted, so raw materials go further and there is less waste to dispose of.

  5. 5

    Distinguish between percentage yield and atom economy.

    Model answer

    Percentage yield compares the product actually obtained with the maximum possible, while atom economy compares the mass of the desired product with the mass of everything formed.

  6. 6

    Explain why an atom economy of 100% does not mean all the reactant is converted in practice.

    Model answer

    Atom economy is worked out from the equation alone, so it takes no account of unreacted material or practical losses.

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Key Concepts in Chemistry
States of Matter and Mixtures
Chemical Changes
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