How Do You Convert Daily Caloric Intake to Watts?

[Simrin530]

[SOLVED] converting calories to watts HELP please

I've tried this problem six times and this is what I keep coming up with. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I realize this is a very simple simple problem but why this is not working for me I do not know. Again Thank You very much for helping!


1. Homework Statement [/b]
In the United States, the average person eats about 3000 food calories per day. What is the average power of this energy intake?
a. 14.5 watts
b. 145 watts
c. 1450 watts
d. 14,500 watts

2.
1 cal = 4.184 J
1 J = 1 N x m
Power equation (watts) = work (J)/time(seconds)

The Attempt at a Solution

4.184 J/1 cal x 3000 cal = 12552 J/ (24 hrs x 60 min/hr x 60 sec/min) = 12552 J
12552 J/ 86400 sec = 0.1452 watts

 

[Shooting Star]

The nutritional calorie is actually 1000 calorie of Physics. Multiply the result by 1000.

 

[Moetasim]

Your solution is correct! Great job on using the correct conversion factors and power equation. It's important to keep track of the units and make sure they cancel out to give you the correct unit of watts. Good luck with your future calculations!