calories burned

literaly

What you’re looking at is a Bomb Calorimeter. Not the type of thing you want to whip out at an airport.

Did you ever wonder how they get the number on the label for different foods? Look no further.

This is the standard tool of measurement for energy - one source of which is calories, though they also use it for oil, coal, etc..

In the most simple terms, you burn whatever food you are testing in an oxygen rich atmosphere. That flame heats up the water above - and each incremental degree warmer the water gets equates to one calorie.

If the water moved up 20 degrees, it was 20 calories.

OK I know what you’re thinking. Why call it a Bomb calorimeter? Its a sealed metal container that has the sample + high pressure oxygene. It kind of resembles one, you don’t even need to squint.

Best,

Kieran