In Einstein’s E = mc² equation, c represents

In Einstein’s equation E = mc², c represents the speed of light (option B). This fundamental constant, approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum, plays a crucial role in the relationship between mass and energy. The equation states that energy (E) is equal to mass (m) times the speed of light squared (c²), indicating that a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy. This concept revolutionized physics by demonstrating the equivalence of mass and energy, leading to advancements in nuclear energy, particle physics, and cosmology. Unlike the speed of sound (option A), which is much slower and varies with the medium, or the wavelength of light (option C), which is a measure of light’s spatial extent, c in Einstein’s equation remains a constant and represents the universal speed limit in our understanding of physics.