Answer :
Final answer:
Light travels at a speed of about 186,000 miles per second in a vacuum, which matches option D. This speed is a fundamental physical constant and is essential in the field of physics.
Explanation:
The correct answer is option D. In a vacuum, light travels at a speed of about 299,792,458 meters per second, which is approximately 186,000 miles per second. This value is represented by the symbol c and is a fundamental constant of nature.
The speed of light is crucial in many areas of physics, and it is the speed at which all electromagnetic waves propagate through a vacuum.
Furthermore, this constant speed of light is used to define the meter in the International System of Units (SI), where one meter is defined as the distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299,792,458.6 seconds.
The correct answer is option D. In a vacuum, light waves travel at a rate of about 186,000 miles per second. This is a fundamental physical constant and is known as the speed of light, which is denoted by the symbol c.
Light travels at this speed because it is an electromagnetic wave, and all electromagnetic radiation moves at the same speed in empty space.
Modeling light as rays of light instead of accurately describing them as electromagnetic waves is useful in certain situations.
For example, when designing devices that use mirrors and lenses, modeling light as rays allows designers to simplify the calculations and predict the behavior of light. It allows for easier understanding and analysis of how light interacts with optical elements.
