At what speed does light travel?

Study for the NJROTC Academics Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with detailed explanations. Get ready to pass your exam with confidence!

Light travels at a speed of approximately 186,000 miles per second (MPS) in a vacuum. This value is widely accepted in physics and is a fundamental constant known as the speed of light, often denoted by the symbol "c." Understanding this speed is crucial, as it forms the basis for many concepts in physics, including theories of relativity.

While 300,000 MPS might seem like a plausible choice given that it is often rounded for simplicity in discussions, the more precise figure is indeed 186,000 MPS. The other options either undervalue or overvalue the speed of light, making them inaccurate representations of this phenomenon. Therefore, the choice reflecting 186,000 MPS accurately matches the established scientific consensus.

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