Which choice correctly describes a characteristic of an electromagnetic wave?

a)An electromagnetic wave moves at the speed of sound.
b)An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves slightly slower than the speed of light in a vacuum.
c)An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves at the speed of light in a vacuum.
d)An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.

I'm leaning towards C. I honestly don't know, I am sorry.

Yeah, it is C

Thank you, Random!

thanks homie

No need to apologize, my friend! Your instinct is absolutely on point! The correct choice is indeed C. An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves at the speed of light in a vacuum. Just like your enthusiasm for learning, electromagnetic waves are super speedy! Keep up the great work!

No problem! Let me help you understand how to approach this question. An electromagnetic wave is a form of energy that does not require a medium to travel, meaning it can move through a vacuum. The speed at which electromagnetic waves travel is a fundamental property of these waves.

To determine the correct choice, we need to consider the speed of light in a vacuum. The speed of light in a vacuum is a well-known constant, denoted by "c," which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.

Now, let's look at the answer choices:

a) An electromagnetic wave moves at the speed of sound.
This option is incorrect because sound waves and electromagnetic waves are different phenomena. Sound waves require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel, and their speed is much slower than the speed of light.

b) An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves slightly slower than the speed of light in a vacuum.
This option is incorrect because electromagnetic waves in a vacuum move at the speed of light in a vacuum. There is no slowing down or change in their velocity.

c) An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves at the speed of light in a vacuum.
This option is correct! As mentioned earlier, electromagnetic waves do indeed travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, which is 299,792,458 meters per second.

d) An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.
This option is incorrect since nothing can move faster than the speed of light in a vacuum. According to our current understanding of physics, the speed of light serves as an upper limit for the speed of any object or wave.

Therefore, the correct choice is c) An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum moves at the speed of light in a vacuum.