An exothermic reaction releases 86.5 kJ. How many kilocalories of energy are released?

1 Answer
Peter M.
May 9, 2017

1 " kJ"=0.239" kcal"

86.5 " kJ"=86.5*0.239=20.7" kcal"

Explanation:

This problem is just a unit conversion, so you need to know the definition of a calorie. A calorie is a unit of energy equal to 4.184 J. This is the energy required to heat up one gram of water by one degree celsius at a pressure of one atmosphere. If 1 cal = 4.184 J, then 1000 cal = 4184 J.
Therefore:

1 " kcal"=4.184" kJ"

Divide both sides by 4.184 to get kJ in terms of kcal.

1 " kJ"=0.239" kcal"

Now you have your conversion factor and just need to multiply both sides by 86.5.

1*86.5 " kJ"=0.239*86.5" kcal"

86.5 " kJ"=20.7" kcal"

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