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Calories and joules are units of measurement used to quantify energy. They are commonly used in the context of nutrition and physics, respectively, to describe the amount of energy in various processes and substances.
Calories (Cal)
Calories are a unit of measurement commonly used in the field of nutrition to quantify the energy content of foods and beverages. The term “calorie” you often see on food labels is actually referring to kilocalories (kcal), which is a larger unit of energy.
It’s the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius. When we consume food, our bodies use the energy stored in calories for various physiological functions such as metabolism, movement, and overall bodily functions.
Joules (J)
Joules are a unit of measurement used in the field of physics to quantify energy and work. The joule is the SI (International System of Units) unit of energy and is defined as the amount of energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. It’s a fundamental unit in physics and is used to describe energy in a wide range of processes, including mechanical, electrical, and thermal.
How to convert from calories to joules
To convert from calories to joules, you can use the conversion factor: 1 calorie (cal) = 4.184 joules (J). This means that 1 calorie is equivalent to 4.184 joules.
To convert a given value from calories to joules, you can use the following formula:
Energy in joules = Energy in calories × 4.184
For example, let’s say you have 100 calories and you want to convert it to joules:
Energy in joules = 100 cal × 4.184 J/cal = 418.4 joules
So, 100 calories is equal to 418.4 joules.
Calorie (th) to Joule Conversion Table
| Calorie (td) [cal (td)] | Joule [J] |
| 0.01 cal (td) | 0.04184 J |
| 0.1 cal (td) | 0.4184 J |
| 1 cal (td) | 4.184 J |
| 2 cal (td) | 8.368 J |
| 3 cal (td) | 12.552 J |
| 5 cal (td) | 20.92 J |
| 10 cal (td) | 41.84 J |
| 20 cal (td) | 83.68 J |
| 50 cal (td) | 209.2 J |
| 100 cal (td) | 418.4 J |
| 1000 cal (td) | 4184 J |
FAQs on Calories to Joules conversion
What is 1 calorie equal to in joules?
1 calorie is approximately equal to 4.18 joules.
Why is 1 calorie 4.18 joules?
The conversion factor of 1 calorie to 4.18 joules arises from the specific heat capacity of water. A calorie is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. However, in the International System of Units (SI), energy is typically measured in joules. The conversion factor accounts for the heat capacity of water and the differences between the calorie and joule definitions.
What is the formula for converting calories to joules?
The formula for converting calories (cal) to joules (J) is: Energy in joules (J) = Energy in calories (cal) × 4.18.
Is 1 kcal equal to 4.18 joules?
Yes, 1 kilocalorie (kcal), also known as 1 Calorie (with a capital C), is equal to approximately 4.18 joules (J).
Is 1 joule equal to 1000 kJ?
No, 1 joule (J) is equal to 0.001 kilojoules (kJ). In other words, 1 kilojoule is equal to 1000 joules.
How many calories is 1 kg?
1 kilogram (kg) is a unit of mass, not energy. The energy content of a substance is usually measured in calories or joules, while mass is measured in kilograms.
Which is bigger, 1 joule or 1 calorie?
1 calorie is larger than 1 joule. Specifically, 1 calorie is approximately equal to 4.18 joules. This difference is due to the conversion factor between the calorie and joule, which accounts for the heat capacity of water and the definitions of these units.
