How many watts of power does your brain generate while awake?

Answer 1

The brain consumes about 25 % of the body's energy when at rest.

So for a typical person, on an average day, this equates roughly to 24 watts (based on 2,500 Calories/day).

But the energy usage of the brain does vary depending on the level of mental exertion. Studies have shown that when performing difficult mental activities, the energy usage of the brain increases.

See the following link for more background:http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=42053

Answer 2

About 10-12 watts, so not much. But to use that power would leave next to none to run your body, lol. So in my opinion, unless there is a way to slowly exercise the brain, to slowly compensate and replace the energy you are trying to harness then it would be a pointless battle.

But on the other hand our body generates a lot of thermal, and kinetic energy, which could if done right be upscaled to power lots of awesome things.

Andrew R - AKA Extile

Answer 3

If you wanted to calculate the actual Watts (W) of the brain, here are some basic assumptions that can help illustrate what the value can be.

If you assume your brain burns about 25% of daily caloric intake, which on average is 2000 Calories per day (1 Calorie (US) = 1 Kcal (EUR)). And let's use the following conversions:

1 kCal = 1 Calorie = 4184 Joules

1 Watt = 1 Joule/Second

1 hour = 3600 seconds

Then over a 24 hour period, (on average), your brain is operating at an average power output load of:

500 Calories / 24 hours * 1 hour / 3600 seconds * 4184 Joules/Calorie = 24Watts

This is an average number. At night when you're sleeping, your brain is only operating at 20% of typical power output, so it's safe to say that during your waking hours (the other 2/3 of the day, 16 hours), the brain's power output is nearing:

24/(0.2)*2/3=80W

It's like a light bulb being on all the time - hence, why your head runs "hotter" than the your body tends to be..., and why it makes sense that it is closer to the lungs than the rest of your body (oxygenation, temperature regulation, etc...)

About 25 watts.

Answer 4

my name is Reba and the human body will produce 300 watts

Answer 5

The human brain uses about 20% of the body's energy, which is roughly 20 watts in an average adult while awake.

Answer 6

10-12 watts, enough to power a flashlight

Answer 7

It has 5 watts.

Answer 8

Around 20 Watts.

Answer 9

appox 20 %