Fizeau's Experiment: Exploring Motion & Ether

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In summary, Fizeau's experiment was a groundbreaking experiment conducted in the 19th century to explore the concept of motion and the existence of a hypothetical substance called "ether" that was believed to fill the empty space between objects. Using a rotating mirror and a light source, Fizeau was able to measure the speed of light in moving water and found that it was slightly slower than in still water, providing evidence against the existence of ether. This experiment played a significant role in shaping our understanding of motion and the nature of space in the field of physics.
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Reshma
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Can someone describe/provide links to Fizeau's experiment and show that the result obtained leads to the conclusion that the moving bodies do not communicate any of their motion to ether lying inside or outside it?
 
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I believe the logic is incomplete. As I remember, it was an assumption made by Hertz. A lot of this kind of thing can be found/referenced in: Sir Edmund Whittaker, "A History of Aether and Electricity", Harper and Brother, NY
 
  • #3
Reshma said:
Can someone describe/provide links to Fizeau's experiment and show that the result obtained leads to the conclusion that the moving bodies do not communicate any of their motion to ether lying inside or outside it?

Try

http://www.kevin.harkess.btinternet.co.uk/appendix_b/appendix_b.html

Althought the result shows that SR and ether give approximately the same result.

The difference is a small offset, which is very difficult to detect.
 
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  • #4
wisp said:
Try

http://www.kevin.harkess.btinternet.co.uk/appendix_b/appendix_b.html

Althought the result shows that SR and ether give approximately the same result.

The difference is a small offset, which is very difficult to detect.

I thought that the forum rules prohibited self advertising (advertising of one's own theories) . Especially when the theory in cause ( "wisp" theory) is clearly wrong.
 
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  • #5
I found this page which is has a good explanation of the experiment and the maths.

http://renshaw.teleinc.com/papers/fizeau4b/fizeau4b.stm
 
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1. What is Fizeau's experiment?

Fizeau's experiment was an experiment conducted in the 19th century by French physicist Hippolyte Fizeau to measure the speed of light in moving water in order to test the existence of the hypothetical "ether" medium through which light was thought to propagate.

2. How did Fizeau conduct his experiment?

Fizeau used a beam of light directed at a rotating toothed wheel and a mirror placed 8 kilometers away. The beam of light would pass through the teeth of the wheel and then reflect off the mirror back to the wheel. By adjusting the speed of the wheel, Fizeau was able to measure the speed of light in moving water.

3. What were the results of Fizeau's experiment?

The results of Fizeau's experiment showed that the speed of light was slightly slower when traveling through moving water. This indicated that there was no ether medium affecting the speed of light, as previously believed.

4. How did Fizeau's experiment contribute to our understanding of light and motion?

Fizeau's experiment provided evidence against the existence of the ether medium and supported the theory of relativity, which states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion. It also helped to further our understanding of the speed of light and its relationship to motion.

5. Are there any modern-day applications of Fizeau's experiment?

While the original purpose of Fizeau's experiment may no longer be relevant, the principles and techniques used in the experiment have been adapted for various modern-day applications, such as measuring the speed of sound and testing the accuracy of high-speed cameras. Fizeau's experiment also paved the way for further advancements in the study of light and motion.

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