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- Thread starter rsingh
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sikeveo
back after sem2
The Michelson Morley experiment attempted to measure the relative velocity of the earth through the aether. It was believed that if the aether wind did exist, one light ray travelling perpendicular to another through the aether wind would travel faster than another. Michelson and Morley used a device know as an interferometer which produced interference patters. If the aether did exist, when the entire apparatus was shifted through 90 degrees the intereference patterns would shift.
The apparatus that Michelson and Morley used was extremely accurate for the time, and even small shifts in the interference patter could be detected. The entire apparatus was mounted on a floated mercury block so that vibrations would not affect it.
Despite the accuracy of the interferometer, no shift in the interference patterns was observed. The experiment was repeated many times however the null result kept coming up.
The apparatus that Michelson and Morley used was extremely accurate for the time, and even small shifts in the interference patter could be detected. The entire apparatus was mounted on a floated mercury block so that vibrations would not affect it.
Despite the accuracy of the interferometer, no shift in the interference patterns was observed. The experiment was repeated many times however the null result kept coming up.
and then obviously conclude it with "this outcome concluded the earths relative velocity was unaffected through the aether, while also raising questions as to the existence of aether" .. I say it didnt disprove the theory as later on there was work done in order to try and reconfirm its existence (fixed frames of reference), along with Einstein's work concisively voiding it.
Haku
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just adding to some brilliant information, the experiment was actually conducted many times around different parts of the earth and same result occured, which is null. Where the instrument is turned 1 whole revolution at 90 degrees each time and the interference pattern is the same, so the "null result"
when this occured, two theories were prevelant at the time. 1. when earth moves through the aether, earths mag field and atmosphere actually drags aether with it, so on the ground no aether wind is experienced
2. still people argue that eath moving at 30ms-1 through aether was not enough for the equipment to detect, ie equipment not sensitive enough
also Einsteins theory about light was made independant of the null result, but concidentally supported the fact that no aether existed.
when this occured, two theories were prevelant at the time. 1. when earth moves through the aether, earths mag field and atmosphere actually drags aether with it, so on the ground no aether wind is experienced
2. still people argue that eath moving at 30ms-1 through aether was not enough for the equipment to detect, ie equipment not sensitive enough
also Einsteins theory about light was made independant of the null result, but concidentally supported the fact that no aether existed.