Percent recovery is a calculation used to determine the efficiency of a process, such as a chemical reaction or extraction. It measures the amount of substance recovered compared to the amount that was initially present. Here’s how you can calculate percent recovery:
1. **Determine the Initial Amount**: First, measure or note the initial amount of the substance you are working with. This is usually done in grams or moles.
2. **Determine the Recovered Amount**: After the process is complete, measure the amount of the substance that was recovered. This should be in the same units as the initial amount.
3. **Use the Percent Recovery Formula**: The formula for percent recovery is:
\[ \text{Percent Recovery} = \left( \frac{\text{Recovered Amount}}{\text{Initial Amount}} \right) \times 100 \]
4. **Calculate**: Plug the values into the formula and calculate the percent recovery.
**Example**:
– Initial Amount: 50 grams
– Recovered Amount: 45 grams
\[ \text{Percent Recovery} = \left( \frac{45}{50} \right) \times 100 = 90\% \]
This means that 90% of the substance was recovered from the process.
**Important Notes**:
– Percent recovery can be affected by various factors such as loss during transfer, incomplete reactions, or impurities.
– A high percent recovery indicates a more efficient process, while a low percent recovery may suggest issues that need to be addressed.