Question

1 calorie = ____________ joule.

Answer

100% (3 rated)

The correct answer is: $4.184\text{ J}$

Explanation

1 calorie (small calorie, symbol cal) is defined as the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 °C; by convention this equals $4.184\text{ J}$.

Steps:

  1. Definition: $1\text{ cal}=4.184\text{ J}$
  2. (For food Calories) $1\text{ Cal (kcal)}=1000\text{ cal}=1000\times4.184\text{ J}=4184\text{ J}$

Therefore, $1\text{ cal}=4.184\text{ J}$ (and $1\text{ kcal}=4184\text{ J}$ for dietary Calories).