Suppose that a person eats 2387 Calories per day. Convert this amount of energy into each unit. a. J b. kJ c. kWh

Key Concepts

Calorie to Joule Conversion

A Calorie (specifically, a kilocalorie) is a unit of energy defined as the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. In scientific contexts, energy is often expressed in Joules, where 1 Calorie is equivalent to approximately 4.184 Joules. Understanding this conversion is essential for translating dietary energy into other energy units.

Joule to Kilowatt-Hour Conversion

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power used for one hour. To convert Joules to kilowatt-hours, the conversion factor is used: 1 kWh equals 3.6 million Joules (3.6 x 10^6 J). This conversion is crucial for expressing energy consumption in terms familiar to electrical energy usage.

Energy Units in Context

Different contexts require different units of energy. In nutrition, energy is often measured in Calories, while in physics and engineering, Joules and kilowatt-hours are more common. Understanding the context of energy measurement helps in making appropriate conversions and comprehending the implications of energy consumption in daily life.