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Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement
Chapter 1, Problem 82

A Big Mac hamburger from McDonald’s contains 540 Calories. (a) How many kilojoules does a Big Mac contain?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the relationship between Calories and kilojoules. 1 Calorie (with an uppercase 'C', also known as a kilocalorie) is equivalent to 4.184 kilojoules.
Step 2: Identify the given information. The problem states that a Big Mac contains 540 Calories.
Step 3: Set up the conversion from Calories to kilojoules using the conversion factor from Step 1. Multiply the number of Calories by the conversion factor (4.184 kJ/Calorie).
Step 4: Perform the multiplication to convert the energy content from Calories to kilojoules. This involves multiplying 540 by 4.184.
Step 5: Interpret the result. The product from Step 4 will give you the energy content of the Big Mac in kilojoules.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Calories and Kilojoules Conversion

Calories and kilojoules are both units of energy. To convert calories to kilojoules, you can use the conversion factor where 1 calorie is approximately equal to 4.184 kilojoules. This relationship is essential for converting the energy content of food items from one unit to another.
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Understanding Energy Content in Food

The energy content in food, measured in calories or kilojoules, indicates how much energy the body can obtain from consuming that food. This energy is crucial for bodily functions and physical activity, making it important to understand when evaluating dietary choices.
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Nutritional Information

Nutritional information on food packaging provides details about the energy and nutrient content of the food. Understanding this information helps consumers make informed dietary choices and manage their energy intake according to their health goals.
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