Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => Science Experiments => Topic started by: thedoc on 10/05/2016 12:50:02

Title: Suggestion for a kitchen science experiment
Post by: thedoc on 10/05/2016 12:50:02
Aaron David Fuller asked the Naked Scientists:
   HI, I have a suggestion for a kitchen science experiment - basically it's to work out the 'power consumption' of a human in watts, using a kitchen kettle and some arithmetic.  I'd be happy to send you the details, if you think it would be useful.
What do you think?
Title: Re: Suggestion for a kitchen science experiment
Post by: alancalverd on 11/05/2016 00:06:47
Pray tell us more!
Title: Re: Suggestion for a kitchen science experiment
Post by: RD on 12/05/2016 17:15:00
... to work out the 'power consumption' of a human in watts, using a kitchen kettle and some arithmetic.

The energy-consumption of a person is the calorific value of their diet , ( assuming they do not lose or gain weight ). 

Maybe you're using an electric kettle as a bomb calorimeter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorimeter#Bomb_calorimeters) to measure the calories in some foods ?

Pray tell us more!
+1
Title: Re: Suggestion for a kitchen science experiment
Post by: alancalverd on 12/05/2016 18:37:49
It's about 120 - 150 watts. Interestingly, almost all warmblooded animals run at about 2 watts per kilogram of body weight. And unsurprisingly, 10% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide comes from humans breathing.