AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: Atom economy
Quantitative chemistry · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.3.3.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Atom economy", and every card links back to the page it came from. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What does the atom economy of a reaction measure?
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The amount (proportion) of starting materials that end up as useful products.
Atom economy is also known as atom ?.
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utilisation
What is the formula for percentage atom economy?
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(Relative formula mass of desired product ÷ sum of relative formula masses of all reactants) × 100.
Which two considerations make high atom economy reactions important?
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Sustainable development and economic reasons (less waste, less raw material cost).
What information is atom economy calculated from?
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The balanced equation for the reaction (using relative formula masses), not the actual masses used.
The denominator of the atom economy formula is the sum of the relative formula masses of all ?.
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reactants
The numerator of the atom economy formula is the relative formula mass of the ?.
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desired product
Choosing a reaction pathway considers atom economy, yield, rate, ? and usefulness of by-products.
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equilibrium position
How do useful by-products affect the choice of a reaction pathway?
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They make the pathway more attractive, because material that would otherwise be waste can be sold or used.
Does the percentage yield of a reaction affect its atom economy?
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No — atom economy is fixed by the balanced equation; yield depends on how the reaction is actually carried out.
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