1. What is the Speed of Light?

The speed of light in vacuum, commonly denoted as c, is a universal physical constant important in many areas of physics. Its exact value is 299,792,458 meters per second (approximately 3.00×10⁸ m/s).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Michelson's equation:

Where:

• \( c \) — Speed of light (m/s)
• \( Distance \) — Distance traveled by light (meters)
• \( Time \) — Time taken (seconds)

Explanation: This equation calculates the speed of light by dividing the distance light travels by the time it takes to cover that distance.

3. Importance of Speed of Light Calculation

Details: The speed of light is fundamental in physics, appearing in many equations including Einstein's E=mc². It's used in telecommunications, astronomy, and quantum physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance in meters and time in seconds. For accurate results, use precise measurements from experiments like Michelson's method.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Who first measured the speed of light?
A: Ole Rømer made the first quantitative measurements in 1676 using observations of Jupiter's moons.

Q2: What was Michelson's method?
A: Albert A. Michelson used a rotating octagonal mirror to measure the time light took to travel to a distant mirror and back.

Q3: Why is the speed of light important?
A: It's the ultimate speed limit of the universe and appears in many fundamental physics equations.

Q4: Does light always travel at this speed?
A: Only in vacuum. Light slows down when passing through transparent media like water or glass.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation method?
A: Modern measurements use more precise methods, but this basic calculation demonstrates the principle.