The Solvay process for the manufacture of sodium carbonate begins by passing ammonia and carbon dioxide through a solution of sodium chloride to make sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. The equation for this reaction is H2O + NaCl + NH3 + CO2 ? NH4Cl + NaHCO3. In the next step, sodium bicarbonate is heated to give sodium carbonate and two gases, carbon dioxide and steam 2NaHCO3 ? Na2CO3 + CO2 + H2O.
1. What is the theoretical yield of sodium carbonate, expressed in grams, if 175 g of NaCl were used in the first reaction?
2. If 88.8 g of Na2CO3 were obtained from the reaction described in part a, what was the percentage yield?