Convert Megatons of TNT to Calories

Convert Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) to Calories (cal) instantly and accurately.

From: Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT))

To: Calories (cal)

Conversion Formula

cal = Mt(TNT) × 1000000000000000

About Megatons of TNT

A megaton of TNT (Mt(TNT)) = 10⁶ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 PJ. The Soviet Tsar Bomba (1961) yielded ~50 Mt - the largest human-made explosion ever, with a fireball 8 km in diameter. Castle Bravo (1954) yielded ~15 Mt, 2.5× its 6 Mt design yield. Modern thermonuclear warheads typically range from 0.1-1.2 Mt. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake released ~500 Mt in seismic energy. The Krakatoa 1883 eruption released ~200 Mt; Tambora 1815 ~33,000 Mt. 1 Mt(TNT) = 4.184 PJ = 1,162,800 MWh.

About Calories

A calorie (cal) - the thermochemical calorie - is exactly 4.184 J, defined as the heat to raise 1 g of water by 1°C. Standard since 1954. The calorie is the fundamental unit of heat measurement in thermochemistry: glucose combustion releases 669.9 kcal/mol; water vaporisation requires 539.7 cal/g. Bond dissociation energies in quantum chemistry are often quoted in kcal/mol. Note: the dietary Calorie (capital C) on food labels is 1 kcal = 4,184 J - a factor-of-1,000 difference that causes persistent confusion. 1 cal = 4.184 J = 1.163 × 10⁻³ Wh.

Quick Reference Table

Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT))	Calories (cal)
1 Mt(TNT)	1 × 10¹⁵ cal
2 Mt(TNT)	2 × 10¹⁵ cal
5 Mt(TNT)	5 × 10¹⁵ cal
10 Mt(TNT)	1 × 10¹⁶ cal
25 Mt(TNT)	2.5 × 10¹⁶ cal
50 Mt(TNT)	5 × 10¹⁶ cal
100 Mt(TNT)	1 × 10¹⁷ cal

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