Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 22/02/2022 11:59:16

Title: If humans could eat batteries, how much energy would they provide?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 22/02/2022 11:59:16

Donald is curious to know the science behind this idea.

"Humans do not run on batteries, however, how many AA batteries would equal the energy in a 1600kcal diet? Just wondering the equivalence between biological efficiency and a ready technical object."

Discuss what you think in the comments below...

Title: Re: If humans could eat batteries, how much energy would they provide?
Post by: HannahC on 22/02/2022 14:24:09

If we could eat batteries, we would hardly be humans. I think robots of something else, and they must produce more energy than human organism.

Title: Re: If humans could eat batteries, how much energy would they provide?
Post by: vhfpmr on 22/02/2022 14:42:55

To obtain 1600kcals (=6.688MJ) you would need 774 1.2V 2Ah AA cells (at 8640J each).

Title: Re: If humans could eat batteries, how much energy would they provide?
Post by: Bored chemist on 22/02/2022 15:42:16

Quote from: vhfpmr on 22/02/2022 14:42:55

To obtain 1600kcals (=6.688MJ) you would need 774 1.2V 2Ah AA cells (at 8640J each).

And (at 26 grams each)  about 20Kg...

Though 1600Kcal isn't much for an adult human. I'd expect to burn roughly half as much again, so I'd need about 30Kg of batteries.
And bathroom design would need to be changed...