Is 2000 Kilocalories the Average Human Need per Day?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Piotrovskiy Yury
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Human Power Watts
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the average daily caloric needs of humans, specifically focusing on the figure of 2000 kilocalories and its conversion to power in watts. Participants explore the implications of this average in various contexts, including physical activity levels.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that 2000 kilocalories is the average human need per day, equating this to approximately 97 watts when converted to power.
  • Another participant humorously responds to the power comparison, suggesting a light-hearted interpretation of the statement.
  • A summary reiterates the calculation of 2000 kilocalories to 97 watts, affirming the average caloric need.
  • One participant challenges the precision of the 97 watts figure, suggesting it should be presented as "100 watts, give or take," while agreeing that it is reasonable for an average human under typical conditions.
  • The same participant cautions against applying this average to individuals with higher energy demands, such as athletes or those engaged in intense physical activity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the average caloric need of 2000 kilocalories per day, but there is disagreement regarding the precision of the power conversion and its applicability to different activity levels.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about average energy expenditure, as well as the context in which the average caloric need applies, particularly for individuals with varying levels of physical activity.

Piotrovskiy Yury
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Human power 97 watts?

2000 kilocalories is the average human need per day.

2000 kilocalories is 8373.6 kilojoules divided by 86,400 seconds in days = 97 watts.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You calling me a light bulb!? :wink:
 
Piotrovskiy Yury said:
Summary:: 2000 kilocalories is the average human need per day.2000 kilocalories is 8373.6 kilojoules divided by 86,400 seconds in days = 97 watts.

Human power 97 watts?

2000 kilocalories is the average human need per day.

2000 kilocalories is 8373.6 kilojoules divided by 86,400 seconds in days = 97 watts.
Yes, that's about right. Did you have a question?
 
No way do you have more than one significat digit in this calculation so you might want to say "100 watts, give or take" instead of "97 watts", but other than that, yes, it's about right in order of magnitude terms... at least for the average human exerting themselves at an average level so that 2000 kcal/day is reasonable.

Don't expect that number to apply to an American football team, or anyone on the day that they run a marathon.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
13K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K