How Does Special Relativity Explain the Michelson-Morley Experiment Results?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ultimateroxas
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Einstein
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on how Einstein's theory of special relativity accounts for the results of the Michelson-Morley experiment, which aimed to detect the presence of the hypothetical luminous aether by measuring differences in light speed. The experiment consistently yielded no measurable difference, leading Einstein to assert that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all inertial observers, regardless of their motion. This postulate forms the foundation of special relativity, resulting in significant implications for time, length, and mass as observed between different frames of reference.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of special relativity
  • Familiarity with the Michelson-Morley experiment
  • Knowledge of light speed as a constant in physics
  • Basic concepts of inertial reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the speed of light as a universal constant
  • Explore the mathematical framework of special relativity
  • Investigate the historical context and significance of the Michelson-Morley experiment
  • Learn about the effects of time dilation and length contraction in special relativity
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of modern physics and the implications of special relativity on our understanding of the universe.

ultimateroxas
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
How does Einstein’s theory of special Relativity explain the result of the Michelson-Morley experiment?

Thankyou if you can help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
the Michelson-Morley experiment set out to measure the presence of the hypothetical luminous aether by measuring the difference in the speed of light of two paths of a split beam of light that are at right angles to each other. assuming the Earth must be traveling through the aether at some time during the year as it revolves around the Sun, this difference of speed should be measurable with their apparatus.

the performed the experiment many times, at different times of day and different seasons of the year and never got a positive result (that is a measurable difference of the speed of light in those two directions).

Einstein simply said "hell, yes. why not? there was no measured difference in the speed of light because there was no difference in the speed of light to measure." that the speed of light (which is really the speed of any instantaneous interaction, E&M, gravity, strong force, whatever) in a vacuum is constant and the same for any (inertial) observer anywhere in any direction is a postulate of SR. from that postulate Einstein notices that all sorts of strange things happen regarding time, length, apparent mass, especially if one observer is whizzing by another at a speed approaching c.
 
thanks

thankyou so much you helped me a lot. thank again
 

Similar threads

High School Why is the constant speed of light so unique?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Undergrad Michelson-Morley: Errors in Calculations?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad Michelson–Morley experiment and the velocity of the ether wind
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Understanding the historical shift away from absolute simultaneity
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
High School Michelson Morley experiment and the Doppler effect
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Undergrad Proof of Special Relativity w/ Michelson–Morley Experiment
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
High School Questions on the Michelson Morley Experiment
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
6K
High School Speed of Light: Michelson-Morley Experiment Revisited
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Length contraction and time dilation
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
Undergrad Understanding Michelson Morley Experiment
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K