Are Cookies More Explosive Than Dynamite Based on Calories?

In summary, the conversation discusses the comparison of calories in different objects, including a chocolate chip cookie and TNT. The idea of comparing calories in different objects is questioned, and the concept of power versus energy is explained. The conversation also touches on the topic of demolition and the importance of how quickly energy is delivered.
  • #1
Nim
74
0
A http://muller.lbl.gov/teaching/Physics10/chapters/1-Explosions.htm [Broken] listed what I have posted below. Does it make sense to compare the calories of a chocolate chip cookie to the calories of TNT? Maybe there is more calories in TNT than 1 but not all of it can be released fast enough to be apart of the explosion. Or maybe people don't digest all the calories in a cookie and so the calories listed are smaller than how much it actually contains.

Code:
object                                Calories in one gram 

gasoline                              10
chocolate chip cookies                5
bullet (moving at speed of sound)     0.01
methane gas (CH4)                     13
battery (flashlight)                  0.01
battery (computer)                    0.1
hydrogen gas (H2) for fuel cell       26
TNT or dynamite, by convention*       1 
real TNT (trinitrotoluene)            0.651
modern High Explosive (PETN)          1.06
meteor (at 30 km/sec)                 100
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
First off, kilocalorie would seem more correct for a physics text, but food-calorie makes sense to a layperson.

Second, it explains the difference between power and energy as its rational. Its not the total energy, rather how quickly the energy is delivered.

In demolition, it seems much talk is spent on how fast things happen, seems to follow here.

Cliff
 
  • #3
We commonly measure energy in calories, so it does "make sense" to compare different sources of energy with calories. As to whether or not it makes sense to compare cookies to dynamite; remember, it is an election year. -Mike
 

What is the difference between explosive calories and food calories?

Explosive calories, also known as thermal calories, refer to the amount of energy released when a substance explodes. Food calories, on the other hand, refer to the amount of energy that can be obtained from consuming a food item.

How are explosive calories and food calories measured?

Explosive calories are typically measured in joules or calories, while food calories are measured in kilocalories or kilojoules.

Can explosive calories be converted into food calories?

No, explosive calories and food calories are not interchangeable. They represent different types of energy and cannot be converted into each other.

Do different types of food have different calorie values?

Yes, the calorie values of different foods vary depending on their composition. For example, proteins and carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram, while fats have 9 calories per gram.

How do explosive calories and food calories impact the human body?

Explosive calories have the potential to cause serious harm to the human body if not handled properly. Food calories, on the other hand, provide the necessary energy for the body to function and are essential for maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Back
Top