Food-energy to Mechanical Energy

In summary, the nominal food-energy value of 1.00g of butter is about 7.20 food calories. To determine how much butter would be required to power a 65.0kg mountaineer on her journey from Lupine Meadows to the summit of Grand Teton, the equation Mass*Gravity*Height is used. After converting food calories to Joules, the calculation results in approximately 4.5x10^4g of butter. However, it is important to note that food calories are actually Kcals, or 1000 calories. After accounting for this conversion, the correct answer is obtained.
  • #1
raiderIV
15
0

Homework Statement


The nominal food-energy value of 1.00g of butter is about 7.20 food calories.

If all this energy could be converted completely to mechanical energy, how much butter would be required to power a 65.0kg mountaineer on her journey from Lupine Meadows (elevation 2070m) to the summit of Grand Teton (4196m)?


Homework Equations


Mass*Gravity*Height


The Attempt at a Solution



What I tried was (65 * 9.81 * 2126) to find the Joules of energy required for the journey. Then converted 7.2 food calories to 30.1248J and divided to find the grams.

I came out with approx 4.5x10^4g of butter, however it is not being accepted as correct.
What am i doing wrong?
 
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  • #2
Note that food calories are really Kcals = 1000 calories.
 
  • #3
Yep that solved it...

Thank you for the correction!
 

Related to Food-energy to Mechanical Energy

What is food-energy?

Food-energy refers to the energy that is derived from the food we eat. This energy is measured in units of calories and is used by our bodies to perform various functions such as movement, growth, and repair.

How is food-energy converted to mechanical energy?

Our bodies convert food-energy to mechanical energy through a process called metabolism. This involves breaking down the food we eat into smaller molecules, such as glucose, and using the energy released to power our muscles and other bodily functions.

What are some examples of mechanical energy from food-energy?

When we eat food, our bodies convert the energy from that food into mechanical energy in various ways. For example, when we run or walk, our muscles use mechanical energy to move our bodies. Even when we are resting, our heart is using mechanical energy to pump blood throughout our body.

How does the amount of food-energy we consume affect our mechanical energy?

The amount of food-energy we consume directly impacts the amount of mechanical energy our bodies can produce. If we consume more food-energy than we need, our bodies will store this excess energy as fat. On the other hand, if we do not consume enough food-energy, our bodies will not have enough energy to perform necessary functions and we may feel fatigued.

What are some sources of food-energy that can be converted to mechanical energy?

Some common sources of food-energy include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These can be found in various foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, meats, and dairy products. It is important to have a balanced diet that includes a variety of these food groups to ensure our bodies have enough energy to function properly.

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