0
The speed of light can be both calculated and measured. Light waves are formed by mutually interacting orthogonal electric and magnetic fields. Using properties of these electric and magnetic fields, you can arrange the equations of physics into a partial differential equation, called the "wave equation". This equation contains a constant in it, which is the wave-speed of light. It's value is found from other physical constants, and is about 3 106 km/sec. This value was measured in a vacuum and found to be within excellent agreement.
James Clerk Maxwell first theoretically found the speed of light from what is now called the Maxwell equations.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Steve
Judy
ProfessorAdd your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How is velocity calculated?
Distance/Time
How are wave velocity frequency period and wavelength related?
Wave frequency can be calculated by dividing the speed of the wave (if we're talking about electromagnetic waves in vacuum, that would be the speed of light, c) by wavelength.
What are the difference of instantaneous velocity and average velocity?
Average velocity in a direction is calculated as the displacement in that direction divided by the total time taken. As the time interval is reduced, the displacement over that period also reduces and the limiting value of that ratio is the instantaneous velocity.
How do you derive the equation e equals mc2?
E=mc2 is derived from the equation for kinetic energy Ke = mv2. The mathematics and concepts of special and general relativity shows that the absolute maximum velocity anything can have is the speed of light. The maximum amount of energy anything can possess is simply calculated from its mass and this maximum velocity squared.
What is the trigonometric formula for rotational velocity?
Velocity = Radius x RPM For example if a body of 32 Inches in diameter rotating at 3600 rpm, the velocity is calculated by Velocity = 32/2 * 3600 Velocity = 57,200 inches per minute Velocity = 57,200 Inches/min * 60 Min/Hr * 1ft/12in * 1 mi/5280 ft Velocity = 54.5 miles per hr
