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What does 1/√(ε₀μ₀) signify?

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

1/√(ε₀μ₀) equals the speed of light in vacuum (c ≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s), where ε₀ is the permittivity of free space (8.854 × 10⁻¹² F/m) and μ₀ is the permeability of free space (4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m). This relationship demonstrates that the speed of electromagnetic waves emerges from fundamental properties of space itself. It's a cornerstone result from Maxwell's equations, showing how electricity and magnetism unify to produce electromagnetic radiation traveling at light speed.

General · Class 12