At what speed does heat radiation travel?

Heat radiation, which encompasses infrared radiation as a part of the electromagnetic spectrum, travels at the speed of light in a vacuum. This speed is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second.

This value is fundamental in physics as it denotes the maximum speed at which all massless particles and associated fields, including electromagnetic radiation (like light and heat), can propagate. Therefore, the correct choice reflects this key concept in physics regarding the speed of light, confirming that heat radiation travels at this speed in any vacuum environment.

Understanding this principle is essential, as it connects to broader concepts within electromagnetism and thermodynamics, illustrating how energy can be transferred across distances without a medium, unlike conduction or convection.