A serving of cereal has 800 cal (1 cal = .239 J). How far can you walk with this energy? Is the elapsed time important? Why is t his calculation
irrelevant to physics?
To calculate how far you can walk with the energy from a serving of cereal, you need to convert the calories to joules and then use the concept of energy conversion.
First, we convert the 800 calories to joules by using the conversion factor of 1 calorie = 0.239 joules.
800 calories * 0.239 joules/calorie = 191.2 joules
Once we have the energy in joules, we can use the concept of energy conversion to calculate how far you can walk. However, this calculation requires additional information such as the efficiency of the human body in converting energy to mechanical work and the rate at which energy is expended during walking. These factors are influenced by various variables like age, weight, fitness level, terrain, and walking speed.
The elapsed time is also an important factor in determining how far you can walk because it affects the rate at which energy is expended during walking. Walking at a faster pace will expend more energy per unit of time compared to walking at a slower pace.
Now, let's address why this calculation is considered irrelevant to physics. In physics, energy calculations typically focus on the fundamental laws and principles that govern the behavior of matter and energy. While it is possible to calculate the energy expenditure of a person walking, the specific variables involved make it a complex and heavily variable calculation that is more suited for exercise physiology or biomechanics rather than fundamental physics.
In summary, to calculate how far you can walk with the energy from a serving of cereal, you would need to consider various factors such as efficiency, rate of energy expenditure, and elapsed time. However, this calculation is not directly relevant to physics as it falls under the realm of exercise physiology or biomechanics.