Calorie Converter
Convert Calorie to Joule and more • 50 conversions
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Unit Explanations
Caloriecal
Source UnitThe calorie is a unit of energy that originated in the late 19th century and is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius (1 °C) at a pressure of one atmosphere. In nutritional contexts, the kilocalorie (kcal) is commonly used, which is equivalent to 1,000 calories. The calorie is part of the metric system but is not an SI unit; however, it is widely used in various fields, particularly in nutrition, physics, and chemistry. The calorie can also refer to the energy expended in physical activities, making it crucial for dietary and exercise planning. Its applications extend to thermodynamics and calorimetry, where precise energy measurements are vital.
Current Use
Today, the calorie is widely used in nutrition to quantify the amount of energy food provides to the body. In many countries, food labels list caloric content to inform consumers about energy intake. The calorie is significant in various industries including food and beverage, healthcare, fitness, and sports science, aiding in dietary planning and energy expenditure calculations. Besides nutrition, calories are used in scientific research, particularly in calorimetry, where precise energy measurements are essential for experiments involving heat transfer. The global health sector utilizes calories to develop dietary recommendations and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of balanced energy intake for maintaining health and preventing diseases.
Fun Fact
The calorie was once defined based on the energy needed to heat water, highlighting its unique relationship with thermal properties.
JouleJ
Target UnitThe joule (symbol: J) is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. Mathematically, one joule is equivalent to one newton-meter (N·m) or one watt-second (W·s). In terms of electrical energy, one joule is also defined as the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second. The joule is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule, who made significant contributions to thermodynamics and the understanding of energy conservation.
Current Use
The joule is widely used in multiple scientific and engineering disciplines to quantify energy, work, and heat. In physics, it serves as a fundamental measure for energy transfer, particularly in mechanics and thermodynamics. Engineers use joules to calculate energy efficiency in machinery and electricity consumption. In nutrition, energy content in food is often expressed in joules or kilojoules, allowing for a clear understanding of energy intake. The joule is also used in international standards for energy efficiency, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Countries that employ the SI system, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, utilize the joule as the standard unit for energy measurement, ensuring consistency in scientific communication and research.
Fun Fact
The joule can also be defined in terms of calories, where 1 joule is approximately 0.239 calories.
Convert Calorie to Joule (cal to J)
Convert Calories (cal) to Joules (J). If a chemical reaction releases 500 calories of heat, converting to Joules allows you to relate that energy to mechanical work (like lifting a weight).
Multiply calories by 4.184. For example, 100 cal ≈ 418 J.
Calorie (cal)
Definition
4.184 Joules.
Origins & History
Thermodynamics.
Joule (J)
Definition
1 Newton-meter.
Origins & History
SI Standard.
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📐Conversion Formula
= × 1.00000How to Convert
To convert to , multiply the value by 1.00000. This conversion factor represents the ratio between these two units.
Quick Examples
💡 Pro Tip: For the reverse conversion ( → ), divide by the conversion factor instead of multiplying.
Calorie
energy • Non-SI
Definition
The calorie is a unit of energy that originated in the late 19th century and is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius (1 °C) at a pressure of one atmosphere. In nutritional contexts, the kilocalorie (kcal) is commonly used, which is equivalent to 1,000 calories. The calorie is part of the metric system but is not an SI unit; however, it is widely used in various fields, particularly in nutrition, physics, and chemistry. The calorie can also refer to the energy expended in physical activities, making it crucial for dietary and exercise planning. Its applications extend to thermodynamics and calorimetry, where precise energy measurements are vital.
History & Origin
The term calorie was first introduced in the early 19th century, with its origins traceable to the Latin word 'calor', meaning heat. The calorie was defined by French chemist Nicolas Clément in the 1820s, who used it to quantify heat energy. The concept of calorie as a measurement of energy became vital in the burgeoning fields of thermodynamics and nutrition, reflecting the growing understanding of energy transfer and metabolism. In the late 19th century, the calorie began to be standardized, leading to its widespread adoption in scientific and nutritional contexts.
Etymology: The word 'calorie' comes from the Latin 'calor', which means heat.
Current Use
Today, the calorie is widely used in nutrition to quantify the amount of energy food provides to the body. In many countries, food labels list caloric content to inform consumers about energy intake. The calorie is significant in various industries including food and beverage, healthcare, fitness, and sports science, aiding in dietary planning and energy expenditure calculations. Besides nutrition, calories are used in scientific research, particularly in calorimetry, where precise energy measurements are essential for experiments involving heat transfer. The global health sector utilizes calories to develop dietary recommendations and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of balanced energy intake for maintaining health and preventing diseases.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The calorie was once defined based on the energy needed to heat water, highlighting its unique relationship with thermal properties.
- •1 kilocalorie (kcal) is equal to 1,000 calories and is commonly used in food labeling, often referred to as 'Calorie' with a capital C.
- •The average person requires about 2,000 to 2,500 calories daily to maintain energy balance, depending on activity levels.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
Joule
energy • SI Unit
Definition
The joule (symbol: J) is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the energy transferred when a force of one newton is applied over a distance of one meter. Mathematically, one joule is equivalent to one newton-meter (N·m) or one watt-second (W·s). In terms of electrical energy, one joule is also defined as the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second. The joule is named after the English physicist James Prescott Joule, who made significant contributions to thermodynamics and the understanding of energy conservation.
History & Origin
The joule was named after James Prescott Joule, an English physicist known for his pioneering work on the mechanical equivalent of heat and the first law of thermodynamics. Joule's experiments in the mid-19th century demonstrated the relationship between mechanical work and heat, leading to the establishment of the principle of energy conservation. His work laid the foundation for the study of thermodynamics and energy transfer, which ultimately influenced the definition of the joule as a unit of energy.
Etymology: The term 'joule' is derived from the name of James Prescott Joule, reflecting his significant contributions to the understanding of energy and thermodynamics.
Current Use
The joule is widely used in multiple scientific and engineering disciplines to quantify energy, work, and heat. In physics, it serves as a fundamental measure for energy transfer, particularly in mechanics and thermodynamics. Engineers use joules to calculate energy efficiency in machinery and electricity consumption. In nutrition, energy content in food is often expressed in joules or kilojoules, allowing for a clear understanding of energy intake. The joule is also used in international standards for energy efficiency, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Countries that employ the SI system, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and most European nations, utilize the joule as the standard unit for energy measurement, ensuring consistency in scientific communication and research.
💡 Fun Facts
- •The joule can also be defined in terms of calories, where 1 joule is approximately 0.239 calories.
- •James Prescott Joule, for whom the unit is named, was also a brewer and applied his knowledge of energy to measure heat in brewing.
- •In some contexts, the joule is used to measure the energy content of food as kilojoules (kJ), making it essential for dietary guidelines.
📏 Real-World Examples
🔗 Related Units
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert to ?▼
To convert to , multiply your value by 1. For example, 10 equals 10 .
What is the formula for to conversion?▼
The formula is: = × 1. This conversion factor is based on international standards.
Is this to converter accurate?▼
Yes! MetricConv uses internationally standardized conversion factors from organizations like NIST and ISO. Our calculations support up to 15 decimal places of precision, making it suitable for scientific, engineering, and everyday calculations.
Can I convert back to ?▼
Absolutely! You can use the swap button (⇄) in the converter above to reverse the conversion direction, or visit our to converter.