7 upvotes, 4 direct replies (showing 4)
View submission: xkcd: Quantum Vacuum Virtual Plasma
20 kW * 1 minute = 287 kilocalories
Drinking a cup and a half of soda in a minute seems fairly safe, as long as you don't do it often.
(A calorie, as used in nutrition, is actually a kilocalorie by the scientific definition, so the above units actually do match, despite their appearance.)
Comment by crosph at 06/08/2014 at 08:06 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Alternatively, 1 Ws = 1 J, so 20 kW * 60 s = 1200 kJ This 500ml energy drink reportedly has 1200 kJ of energy in it. I wouldn't recommend drinking it in a minute though... indeed though, it makes 20 kW seem quite safe. :P
Comment by brkdncr at 06/08/2014 at 08:52 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
i think food items can retain a lot more energy than other things, it's just getting that energy back out isn't efficient.
Comment by robbak at 06/08/2014 at 08:53 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
About a shot-glass of petrol per minute.
Comment by cturkosi at 06/08/2014 at 10:58 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Actually, if the energy is distributed throughout her body evenly and with 100% efficiency, then the following will happen:
20 kW absorbed by a 57 kg human body (125lb woman), having a specific heat capacity of 3.5 kJ kg^-1 K^-1, warms it up by 0.1 K every second.
She would reach a fever of 42 C (108 F) after 60 seconds, which causes brain damage and, eventually, death.