* Light: Light travels at approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (186,282 miles per second) in a vacuum. This is the fastest speed anything can travel in the universe.
* Ripples on water: These are mechanical waves, meaning they require a medium (water) to travel. Their speed depends on factors like the depth of the water, but it's significantly slower than the speed of light.
Think about it this way: If you drop a pebble in a pond, you'll see ripples spread outward. But if you turn on a flashlight, the light seems to reach your hand instantly. That's because light is moving so much faster than the ripples.
