Purpose of Michelson-Morley Experiment?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the purpose of the Michelson-Morley Experiment (MMX), its classification as a failed experiment, and the perceived contradictions between the findings of MMX and Einstein's theory of relativity. It explores concepts such as the luminiferous ether and its implications in the context of light propagation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the purpose of the Michelson-Morley Experiment and why it is labeled as a failed experiment.
  • It is noted that many scientists at the time believed in the existence of a luminiferous ether, which was thought to be a rigid medium through which light traveled.
  • One participant explains that the MMX was designed to detect an ether wind resulting from the Earth's movement through the ether, but it failed to do so, leading to the conclusion that the Earth might be dragging the ether along with it.
  • Another participant highlights Einstein's interpretation, suggesting that the lack of detectable ether wind implies that measurements could be viewed as if they were stationary in the ether, which some see as a contradiction that Einstein resolved.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding how Einstein's theory of relativity addresses the failure of the MMX.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the MMX results and Einstein's conclusions. While some agree that Einstein's theory resolves the apparent contradiction, others seek further clarification on this point, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of ether and the assumptions made about its properties, as well as the interpretation of the results of the MMX in relation to Einstein's theory.

abrowaqas
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What is the purpose of Michelson-Morley Experiment?
Why it is called the failed experiment? what is the contradiction between Michelson-Morley and Einstein?
What is Ether in that experiment?
is it a liquid?
 
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abrowaqas said:
What is the purpose of Michelson-Morley Experiment?
Why it is called the failed experiment? what is the contradiction between Michelson-Morley and Einstein?
What is Ether in that experiment?
is it a liquid?
Most scientists at the time thought that light was a modulation of some kind of medium based on Maxwell's equations which they called the luminiferous ether. It was not a liquid in the sense that a liquid consists of molecules of matter that can move around. They thought that it was rigid prior to the experiment. They thought that it was universally stationary and that the Earth moved through it and so there should be an ether wind which would change during the day and during the different seasons.

MMX was designed to detect this ether wind but it failed to detect any ether wind, no matter what time of the day or what season the experiment was performed. Michelson concluded that the Earth must be dragging the ether along with it so that there was no wind detected, just like the Earth drags the air around with it so that there are not thousand-mile per hour winds on the earth.

However, Einstein came to a different conclusion. He said that there was no detectable ether wind because, in effect, no matter when they performed the experiment, it was just as though they were stationary in the ether. This, of course, seemed to be a contradiction but Einstein was able to show that there was no contradiction.
 
good reply...

but the contradiction part is not clear...

please tell me again that how Einstein theory of relativity is a reply to the MMX failure.
 
abrowaqas said:
good reply...

but the contradiction part is not clear...

please tell me again that how Einstein theory of relativity is a reply to the MMX failure.
MMX was designed to measure the wind caused by moving through the ether. Einstein simply said that everytime they made a measurement,
they were not moving through the ether, therefore, there was no ether wind, it was exactly the same as being at rest in the ether.

In other words, what seemed to be a contradiction between MMX and Einstein turned out not to be.
 
Last edited:
thanks

i got it now
 

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