in this experiment about recrytallization im having a strange problem with the calculations.
we used 0.1 gram of impure unknown, but we recovered 0.3 gram of purified unknown.
so to get % recovery: isnt it like this?
0.1-0.3/0.1 x 100 = -200?
please help!
To calculate the percent recovery, you need to use the following formula:
% Recovery = (Recovered Mass / Initial Mass) x 100
In your case, the initial mass is 0.1 grams, and the recovered mass is 0.3 grams. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
% Recovery = (0.3 / 0.1) x 100 = 300%
The calculated percent recovery is 300%, which implies an over-recovery. The positive value suggests that more of the unknown substance was recovered than was initially used. Therefore, you made a mistake when you subtracted the masses in your calculation.
To avoid confusion and ensure accurate calculations, it is important to clearly define the variables and follow the correct order of operations.