Question

A student determined that the weight-percent recovery for his isolated caffeine proved to be 1.5%. The student was concerned, expecting a yield of at least 50% as in many of the previous experiments. Was his concern legitimate? Explain.

Answer 1

Yes. Percent yield shows how efficient one's method is. If his isolated caffeine proved to be at only 1.5%, compared to least 50% as in many of the previous experiments, the student should be very concerned as it shows that something caused the yield to sharply drop.