The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (or about 186,282 miles per second). This value is denoted by the symbol "c" in scientific equations.
As for the influence of gravity on light, according to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravity can indeed affect the path of light. In the presence of a gravitational field, light will follow a curved trajectory as it travels through space. This effect is known as gravitational lensing, where the path of light is bent around massive objects such as stars, galaxies, or black holes.
Additionally, the general theory of relativity predicts that gravity can cause the wavelength of light to shift, known as gravitational redshift. This means that light traveling in a gravitational field will experience a change in its frequency or energy, leading to a shift toward longer wavelengths (redshift) as it moves away from the source of gravity.
In summary, while the speed of light remains constant in a vacuum, its path can be influenced by gravitational fields, resulting in phenomena such as gravitational lensing and gravitational redshift.