A 1.0 g sample of food reacts with oxygen in a calorimeter containing 500 g of water. The temperature rises 10°C. What is the energy content of the food?

The rule that we will use to solve this problem is:

heat = specific heat x mass x ΔT

where:

specific heat of water = 1.0 cal / g C

mass = 500 grams

ΔT = 10 degrees celcius

Substitute to get the heat as follows:

heat = 1 * 500 * 10 = 5000 calories

Therefore, the energy content in food is equal to 5000 cal/gram which is equivalent to 5 Cal/gram