The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s) or about 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second. This value is commonly rounded to 3 x 10^8 m/s for simplicity.
The speed of light is a fundamental constant in physics and is denoted by the letter "c." It plays a crucial role in many areas of physics, particularly in Einstein's theory of special relativity, where it is considered the maximum speed at which information or any physical object can travel through space.
The value of 3 x 10^8 m/s is derived from experimental measurements and theoretical considerations in electromagnetism. In 1983, the General Conference on Weights and Measures defined the speed of light as exactly 299,792,458 meters per second. This definition allows for precise and standardized measurements across different scientific disciplines.