Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Michelson-Morley experiment, specifically focusing on the light source used in the experiment and the potential use of sunlight as an alternative source. Participants explore the historical context, original methodologies, and variations in experimental setups.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the light source used in the Michelson-Morley experiment and expresses interest in the possibility of using sunlight for reconfirmation of the experiment.
  • Another participant suggests that the original paper by Michelson and Morley is accessible online and encourages looking up the details of the apparatus for more information.
  • A different participant references Dayton C. Miller's experiments, which reportedly utilized sunlight, providing a link to the relevant publication.
  • One participant notes that the original Michelson-Morley experiment cannot be conducted with sunlight due to the necessity of comparing fringe patterns at different times of day and night, while acknowledging that similar interferometers have been used with various light sources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using sunlight in the Michelson-Morley experiment. While some reference historical experiments that utilized sunlight, others argue that the original experiment's requirements preclude its use.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations regarding the specific conditions under which the original Michelson-Morley experiment was conducted, particularly the need for temporal comparisons of fringe patterns, which may not align with the use of sunlight.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the historical aspects of the Michelson-Morley experiment, variations in experimental physics, and the implications of light sources in interferometry may find this discussion relevant.

Shehreyar Khan
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My question is that in Michelson Morley experiment, how they produced the light? what was the light source and has anyone used sunlight as a source yet to re-confirm that experiment? I am interested in sunlight as a source of light due to certain reason... Please if you know kindly mention the link as well or reference so that I can check that too... thanks..
 
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The original Michelson and Morley paper is easily found with Google - it's even linked off the Wikipedia page on the experiment. You can look up the details of the apparatus yourself.

The FAQ linked at the top of this sub-forum is a sensible place to start for further reading. Guessing that you are thinking that light from moving sources has not been tested for speed invariance, the relevant section is http://www.edu-observatory.org/physics-faq/Relativity/SR/experiments.html#moving-source_tests
 
Note that the original MMX can not be done with sunlight since a big part of the experiment was comparing the fringes at different times of day and night.

Of course, similar interforemeters have been used with many light sources.
 

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