The relationship between the nutritional unit for energy and the metric unit is 1 calorie = 1 kcal. a. One donut contains 350 Calories. Convert this to calories and joules.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the given information: 1 Calorie (with an uppercase 'C') is equivalent to 1 kilocalorie (kcal), and 1 kcal is equivalent to 1000 calories (with a lowercase 'c').
2. Convert the energy content of the donut from Calories to calories by multiplying the given value (350 Calories) by 1000, since 1 Calorie = 1000 calories.
3. Use the conversion factor between calories and joules: 1 calorie = 4.184 joules.
4. Convert the energy content from calories to joules by multiplying the result from step 2 by 4.184.
5. Summarize the conversion process: 350 Calories is first converted to calories, and then to joules using the appropriate conversion factors.

Key Concepts

Calorie vs. Kilocalorie

A calorie (cal) is a unit of energy defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. A kilocalorie (kcal), often referred to as a 'Calorie' in dietary contexts, is equal to 1,000 calories. Understanding this distinction is crucial for converting between these units when discussing food energy.

Energy Conversion

Energy can be expressed in various units, including calories and joules. The conversion factor between these units is important: 1 calorie is approximately equal to 4.184 joules. This means that to convert calories to joules, one must multiply the calorie value by 4.184, which is essential for accurately expressing energy in different contexts.

Nutritional Energy Content

The energy content of food is typically measured in kilocalories (Calories) and indicates how much energy the body can obtain from consuming that food. For example, a donut containing 350 Calories provides a specific amount of energy that can be converted into other units for scientific or dietary analysis. Understanding this concept helps in evaluating dietary choices and energy intake.