If an undetected bubble of air were trapped inside the gas collection tube at the start of the reaction, what would be its effect on the percent yield of H2 (g) produced in your experiment? Would the actual yield (and thus he percent yield) be erroneously high, erroneously low, or be unaffected by the bubble of air? Explain your answer
The presence of an undetected bubble of air trapped inside the gas collection tube at the start of the reaction would lead to an erroneously low percent yield of H2 (g) produced in the experiment.
This is because the bubble of air would occupy space within the gas collection tube, reducing the volume available for the collection of the actual H2 gas. As a result, the measured volume of H2 gas collected would be less than the expected amount, leading to a lower actual yield.
The percent yield is calculated by dividing the actual yield by the theoretical yield and multiplying by 100. Since the actual yield would be lower due to the presence of the trapped air bubble, the percent yield would also be lower than it should be.
Therefore, the presence of an undetected bubble of air would result in an erroneously low percent yield of H2 (g) produced in the experiment.