Puzzle of negative result of Michelson Morley experiment

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the Michelson-Morley experiment's negative result, particularly how it relates to the concepts of length contraction and the constancy of the speed of light. Participants explore theoretical interpretations and practical examples regarding the limitations of Galilean transformations in light of relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how Michelson could predict length contraction and Einstein the constancy of light from the negative result of the experiment, suggesting that if light speed is the same in all directions, a fringe shift should not occur.
  • Another participant explains that the Principle of Relativity requires length contraction and time dilation to maintain the constancy of light speed for all observers, which is a surprising conclusion for many.
  • A participant requests practical examples where Galilean transformations fail, indicating a desire for clarification on the limitations of classical mechanics in the context of relativity.
  • Another participant cites Fizeau's 1850 measurements as a direct falsification of Galilean transformations, suggesting that such experimental results cannot be reconciled with classical physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Michelson-Morley experiment and the effectiveness of Galilean transformations, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the nature of light and motion are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the implications of the experiment on classical versus relativistic physics.

mdn
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
HI all
How can Michelson itself predicted contraction of length and Einstein about constancy of light from negative result of MM experiment.
forget about existence of ether, light speed always same in moving frame of reference and importantly in any direction so how can one except shift in fringes?
not only light, any object would have been same speed in all direction in moving frame of reference.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
That last part is called The Principle of Relativity and extending the concept to include light while reconciling it with a constant speed of light was indeed the key conclusion. To most people that is a surprising result and to make like be the same speed for everyone regardless of their state of motion requires length contraction/time dilation. Otherwise, shooting a beam of light from a moving object to a stationary one would give two different speeds of light according to the two observers.
 
thanks
the answer would have been " no ether" that's sufficient. would you give me one practical example where Galilean transformation is ineffective?
 
mdn said:
thanks
the answer would have been " no ether" that's sufficient. would you give me one practical example where Galilean transformation is ineffective?
There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum on experimental confirmation of relativity. The great majority cannot be reconciled with the Galilean transforms.

Fizeau's 1850 measurements of the speed of light in a moving medium are a direct falsification of Galilean transformations.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
6K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K