Can the Michelson-Morley Experiment Prove That Space is a Vacuum?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Michelson-Morley experiment and its implications regarding the nature of space and whether it can be considered a vacuum. Participants explore the experiment's findings and their interpretations, particularly in relation to the propagation of light and the concept of a medium.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the Michelson-Morley experiment demonstrates that space is a vacuum.
  • Another participant asserts that the experiment does not prove space is a vacuum but rather shows that the speed of light is independent of Earth's motion around the sun.
  • A further elaboration indicates that the experiment demonstrates light does not propagate through a medium, countering the earlier belief in the luminiferous ether. It is argued that if light traveled through a medium, its speed would vary based on the observer's motion relative to that medium, which the experiment did not support.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the clarification provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the Michelson-Morley experiment can be interpreted as evidence that space is a vacuum. Multiple viewpoints are presented, with some asserting it does not support the vacuum claim while others clarify its implications regarding light propagation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on historical interpretations of light propagation and the assumptions regarding the existence of a medium, which remain unresolved.

cragar
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I have read through the experiment but how does the , Michelson–Morley experiment
show that space is a vacuum can someone explain this to me.
 
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Um...it doesn't. It shows the speed of light is independent of the motion of the Earth around the sun.
 
cragar said:
I have read through the experiment but how does the , Michelson–Morley experiment
show that space is a vacuum can someone explain this to me.

It doesn't show that space is a vacuum. It shows that light does not propagate through anything (previously they thought light was a wave that propogated through a medium they called the lumineferous ether, like a water wave travels through water). If light traveled through a medium then its speed would depend on how one was moving relative to this medium (just like if one is in a boat cruising along with the waves at the same speed, relative to you the waves aren't moving at all). However, the found that no matter which direction the checked the speed of light they got the same answer. This would be impossible if light traveled through the medium because the Earth is moving in a certain direction and so if there was a medium light would move slower in that direction just like the boat cruising along with the waves. However, the speed of light was identical no matter which way they oriented their apparatus.
 
i see , thanks for the answer
 

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