The Speed of Light

The Speed of Light

The Speed of Light is the fifth book of narrative Spanish writer Javier Cercas. The novel was first published in March 2005 by Tusquets Editores. The book was translated into English by Anne McLean, then published by Bloomsbury in 2006. In 2008, it was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. The book discusses a friendship with a Vietnam War veteran.

Speed of light

The speed of light is the speed of electromagnetic waves. Light travels at slower speed inside materials like glass or water; its highest speed is in a vacuum. The speed of light in vacuum is a universal physical constant denoted c, exactly equal to 299792458 m⋅s−1. It is exact because, by international agreement, a metre is defined as the length of the path travelled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1⁄299792458 second. The value 299,792,458 metres per second is approximately 1 billion kilometres per hour; 700 million miles per hour. For other approximations of c, valid for various units and size scales see the infobox. The shorter form, speed of light, means speed of light in vacuum in any context where the vacuum is implied.

Speed

In kinematics, the speed of a moving object is the rate at which the distance travelled by the object changes with time. The average speed of an object in an interval of time is the distance travelled by the object divided by the duration of the interval; the instantaneous speed is the limit of the average speed as the duration of the time interval approaches zero. Speed is the magnitude of velocity, which indicates additionally the direction of motion.

Light

Light, visible light, or visible radiation is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. Visible light spans the visible spectrum and is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometers (nm), corresponding to frequencies of 750–420 terahertz. The visible band sits adjacent to the infrared and the ultraviolet, called collectively optical radiation.

speed

Noun

1. The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.
2. The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.

Interjection

1. Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.

light

Noun

1. Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye (about 400–750 nanometers): visible light.
2. Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye or in nearby ranges (infrared or ultraviolet radiation).

Verb

1. To start (a fire).
2. To set fire to; to set burning.