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

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In summary, the Michelson-Morley experiment does not show that space is a vacuum. It demonstrates that light does not propagate through a medium, contradicting the previously held belief that it traveled through a substance called the lumineferous ether. The experiment showed that the speed of light is constant regardless of the direction it is measured in, which would not be possible if it traveled through a medium because the Earth's movement would affect its speed. This experiment helped to disprove the existence of the lumineferous ether and contributed to the development of the theory of relativity.
  • #1
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.
 
  • #3
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 propogate 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.
 
  • #4
i see , thanks for the answer
 

What is the Michelson-Morley experiment?

The Michelson-Morley experiment was a scientific experiment conducted in the late 19th century that aimed to measure the speed of light and determine whether it was affected by the motion of the Earth through the hypothetical "ether" medium.

Why is the Michelson-Morley experiment important?

The Michelson-Morley experiment is important because it provided evidence that the speed of light is constant and not affected by the motion of the Earth. This challenged the prevailing belief at the time that light waves traveled through a stationary ether medium.

How did the Michelson-Morley experiment work?

The experiment used an interferometer, which split a beam of light into two perpendicular beams that traveled different distances before being recombined. If the Earth's motion affected the speed of light, the beams would have shown a shift in interference patterns. However, no shift was observed.

What were the results of the Michelson-Morley experiment?

The results of the experiment showed that the speed of light was the same in all directions, regardless of the Earth's motion. This was a groundbreaking discovery that led to the development of Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity.

What impact did the Michelson-Morley experiment have on science?

The Michelson-Morley experiment revolutionized the field of physics and had a profound impact on our understanding of the nature of light and the laws of the universe. It also paved the way for future experiments and theories, such as Einstein's theory of general relativity.

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