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1 calorie equals approximately 0.004184 kilojoules.
This conversion is based on the fact that 1 calorie (cal), a unit of energy commonly used in food and nutrition, is defined as the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. The equivalent energy in kilojoules (kJ) is obtained by multiplying calories by 0.004184 because 1 cal equals 4.184 joules, and 1 kilojoule is 1000 joules.
What is the conversion of 1 calorie to kilojoules?
Converting 1 calorie to kilojoules involves multiplying the calorie value by 0.004184. This ratio comes from the definition that 1 calorie equals 4.184 joules, and since 1 kilojoule equals 1000 joules, the conversion factor is 4.184 divided by 1000, which is 0.004184. So, 1 cal times 0.004184 gives 0.004184 kJ.
Conversion Tool
Result in kj:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert calories to kilojoules multiplies the calorie amount by 0.004184. This works because 1 calorie equals 4.184 joules, and since 1 kilojoule is 1000 joules, dividing 4.184 by 1000 gives the conversion factor. For example, 5 cal multiplied by 0.004184 results in 0.02092 kj.
Conversion Example
- Convert 2 calories to kj:
- Multiply 2 by 0.004184
- 2 x 0.004184 = 0.008368 kj
- Convert 10 calories to kj:
- 10 x 0.004184 = 0.04184 kj
- Convert 0.5 calories to kj:
- 0.5 x 0.004184 = 0.002092 kj
- Convert 100 calories to kj:
- 100 x 0.004184 = 0.4184 kj
- Convert 3 calories to kj:
- 3 x 0.004184 = 0.012552 kj
Conversion Chart
| Calorie (cal) | Kilojoule (kJ) |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -0.100416 |
| -22.0 | -0.092048 |
| -20.0 | -0.08368 |
| -18.0 | -0.075312 |
| -16.0 | -0.066944 |
| -14.0 | -0.058576 |
| -12.0 | -0.050208 |
| -10.0 | -0.04184 |
| -8.0 | -0.033472 |
| -6.0 | -0.025104 |
| -4.0 | -0.016736 |
| -2.0 | -0.008368 |
| 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 2.0 | 0.008368 |
| 4.0 | 0.016736 |
| 6.0 | 0.025104 |
| 8.0 | 0.033472 |
| 10.0 | 0.04184 |
| 12.0 | 0.050208 |
| 14.0 | 0.058576 |
| 16.0 | 0.066944 |
| 18.0 | 0.075312 |
| 20.0 | 0.08368 |
| 22.0 | 0.092048 |
| 24.0 | 0.100416 |
| 26.0 | 0.108784 |
This chart helps visualize the conversion for a range of calories into kilojoules, making it easier to estimate the energy value without calculator.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many kilojoules are in 1 calorie of food energy?
- What is the kj equivalent of 1 calorie in nutrition labels?
- Convert 1 calorie to kilojoules for energy expenditure calculations?
- How do I convert calories to kj for my diet plan?
- What is the energy value of 1 calorie in kj in food science?
- How many kilojoules does 1 calorie represent in exercise metrics?
- Can I convert 1 calorie into kilojoules easily using a calculator?
Conversion Definitions
Calorie
A calorie is a unit of energy used primarily in food and nutrition, defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius; it is equal to approximately 4.184 joules.
Kilojoule
A kilojoule is a metric unit of energy equivalent to 1000 joules, used to measure the energy content in foods or the work done by energy in physical processes, providing a standardized way to quantify energy in larger amounts.
Conversion FAQs
Why is it necessary to convert calories into kilojoules?
Converting calories into kilojoules provides a universal measurement of energy, especially in countries that prefer the metric system, making comparisons and calculations more consistent across scientific and nutritional contexts.
How accurate is the conversion from 1 calorie to kj?
The conversion factor of 0.004184 is precise based on the definition of the calorie and joule, so calculations using this number are highly reliable for scientific and nutritional purposes.
What happens if I use an approximate value for the conversion?
Using a rounded or approximate number can lead to small errors in energy calculations, which might be insignificant for everyday purposes but critical in precise scientific or engineering calculations.
