Michelson–Morley Experiment
Related content
- Aberration of light
- Aether drag hypothesis
- Air conditioning
- Albert Einstein
- Albert Michelson
- Alfred Potier
- American Journal of Science
- Anisotropy
- Antimatter tests of Lorentz violation
- ArXiv
- Augustin-Jean Fresnel
- Balloon
- Beam splitter
- Bibcode
- Brussels
- Case Western Reserve University
- Charles H. Townes
- Cleveland
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Coherence length
- Cosmic microwave background radiation
- Dayton Miller
- De Sitter double star experiment
- Digital object identifier
- Drag (physics)
- Earth
- Edward Morley
- Electron
- Emission theory
- Experiments of Rayleigh and Brace
- Fizeau experiment
- Fizeau–Foucault apparatus
- Fourmilab
- Fringe shift
- Galactic Center
- Georg Joos
- George Fitzgerald
- George Gabriel Stokes
- Hafele–Keating experiment
- Hammar experiment
- Heidelberg
- Hendrik Lorentz
- Henri Poincaré
- History of special relativity
- Hughes–Drever experiment
- Interference (wave propagation)
- International Standard Book Number
- Invar
- Isotropy
- Ives–Stilwell experiment
- Jena
- John Walker (programmer)
- Joseph Larmor
- Kaufmann–Bucherer–Neumann experiments
- Kennedy–Thorndike experiment
- Laser
- Laser gyroscope
- Length contraction
- Lorentz transformation
- Lorentz-violating neutrino oscillations
- Luminiferous aether
- Magnetostriction
- Maser
- Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism
- Measurements of neutrino speed
- Michael Polanyi
- Michelson interferometer
- Michelson–Gale–Pearson experiment
- Michelson–Morley experiment
- Modern searches for Lorentz violation
- Mount Wilson (California)
- Mount Wilson observatory
- Moving magnet and conductor problem
- Nervous breakdown
- Neutrino
- Nucleon
- One-way speed of light
- Optical resonator
- Pasadena, California
- Photon
- Physics
- Potsdam
- PubMed Identifier
- Relative motion
- Rigi
- Rudolf Tomaschek
- Sagnac effect
- Sidereal day
- Sodium
- Sound
- Special BookSources 0-201-04679-2
- Special BookSources 0-226-77057-5
- Special BookSources 0226672883
- Special BookSources 1-4020-1308-6
- Special BookSources 981-256-621-X
- Special relativity
- Spectrometer
- Speed of light
- Standard-Model Extension
- Sun
- Template talk Tests of special relativity
- Template Tests of special relativity
- Test theories of special relativity
- Tests of relativistic energy and momentum
- Tests of special relativity
- The Light (Glass)
- Time dilation
- Time dilation of moving particles
- Trouton–Noble experiment
- Trouton–Rankine experiment
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Walter Ritz
- White
- Wikisource
- Yellow
Michelson–Morley experiment
The Michelson–Morley experiment was performed in 1887 by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley at what is now Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. It was aimed at detecting the relative motion of matter relative to the stationary luminiferous aether ("aether wind"). The negative results are generally considered to be the first strong evidence against the then prevalent aether theory, and initiated a line of research that eventually led to special relativity, in which the classical aether concept has no role. The experiment has also been referred to as "the moving-off point for the theoretical aspects of the Second Scientific Revolution".
Michelson-Morley type experiments have been constantly repeated. For instance, modern resonator experiments confirmed the absence of any aether wind at the Failed to parse (Missing texvc executable; please see math/README to configure.): 10^{-17}
Physics theories of the late 19th century assumed that just as water waves must have an intervening substance, i.e. a "medium", to move across (in this case water), and audible sound requires a medium to transmit its wave motions (such as air or water), so light must also require a medium, the "luminiferous aether", to transmit its wave motions. Because light can travel through a vacuum, it was assumed that even a vacuum must be filled with aether. Because the speed of light is so great, and because material bodies pass through the aether without obvious friction or drag, the aether was assumed to have a highly unusual combination of properties. Designing experiments to test the properties of the aether was a high priority of 19th century physics.
View MoreRoyal Mile unicorns have horns restored
BBC News | 20 Apr 2025The sculptures on the facade of the Scotch Whisky Experience are returned to their former glory....
Lewis Hamilton's brother Nicolas was living a 'parallel life' as gambling spiralled
Daily Record | 20 Apr 2025Nicolas Hamilton has opened up on his experience with gambling harm, after staking left him in a "dark spot", barely a penny to his name, and feeling as though there was no one to turn to ......
How to separate your personal, professional life
Boston Herald | 20 Apr 2025Dear Reader: How can you effectively separate your personal and professional life to decrease burnout? This column is inspired by the show, “Severance,” as its main characters completely split their work and personal lives due to a surgical implantation chip that divides their consciousness into two parts: innie and outie. In...
Want to test your escape skills? Here are 5 places to try in Las Vegas
Boston Herald | 20 Apr 2025LAS VEGAS — Are you looking for a unique Las Vegas activity? You can put your sleuth skills to the test in an escape room, where guests are locked in a room of mysteries, clues and hidden items and tasked with one goal: Escape! Here’s a look at five companies offering escape room experiences in the valley. The Basement The...