cal to J Converter - Calorie to Joule
Calorie (cal) to Joule (J)
Direct answer
1 cal = 4.184 J
J = cal × 4.184
Converter
Conversion formula
J = cal × 4.184
cal = J × 0.239005736138
Example: 10 cal = 10 × 4.184 = 41.84 J.
Common conversion table
| cal | J |
|---|---|
| 1 cal | 4.184 J |
| 2 cal | 8.368 J |
| 5 cal | 20.92 J |
| 10 cal | 41.84 J |
| 20 cal | 83.68 J |
| 50 cal | 209.2 J |
| 100 cal | 418.4 J |
| 1,000 cal | 4,184 J |
Conversion derivation
Express both cal and J in the same base unit J (joule), then cancel the shared base unit.
- 1
Rewrite cal in the base unit
- 2
Rewrite J in the base unit
- 3
Forward conversion
- 4
Reverse conversion
AI explanation for this conversion
This pre-generated explanation is schema-checked. Numeric results still come from the page formula and calculator.
Conversion from Calorie (cal) to Joule (J)
This conversion factor is based on the definition that one calorie is exactly equal to 4.184 joules. It is a fixed relationship used in energy unit conversion.
Definition
The calorie (cal) is a unit of energy originally defined as the heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. The joule (J) is the SI unit of energy, defined in terms of mechanical work.
Principle
The conversion uses the fixed equivalence: 1 cal = 4.184 J. This allows direct multiplication to convert between the units.
Assumptions
- The conversion uses the thermochemical calorie, which is defined as exactly 4.184 J.
- The units are treated as exact definitions for the purpose of this conversion.
Cautions
- Different types of calories exist (e.g., IT calorie, mean calorie), which have slightly different conversion factors.
- Precision and rounding should be considered when applying the conversion in calculations.
FAQ
How many J are in 1 cal?
1 cal = 4.184 J.
How many J are in 10 cal?
10 cal = 41.84 J.
How many J are in 100 cal?
100 cal = 418.4 J.
What is the formula to convert cal to J?
Use J = cal × 4.184.
How many cal are in 1 J?
1 J = 0.239005736138 cal.
What should I check when converting cal to J?
Use the conversion factor and round the result to the precision required by your calculation.