Planck's constant is expressed in units of m² * kg / s due to the underlying relationships between mass, length, and time that were not fully understood when these units were established. It fundamentally represents the relationship between energy and frequency, defined by the equation h = E/ν. This highlights that Planck's constant can also be viewed in terms of energy multiplied by time. Understanding these connections requires familiarity with classical mechanics and how energy relates to mass, length, and time. The discussion emphasizes the importance of these foundational concepts in physics.