Why Does the Michelson-Morley Experiment Use T1-T2 Even After Rotation?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The Michelson-Morley Experiment (MME) aimed to detect the presence of the ether by measuring the time difference (T1-T2) for light traveling along two perpendicular paths (L1 and L2). Despite the hypothesis predicting a measurable difference due to the Earth's motion through the ether, the experiment yielded a null result, indicating no observable time difference. The calculation of T1-T2 remains consistent regardless of the apparatus's rotation, as the focus is on the magnitude of the time difference rather than its directional values.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Michelson-Morley Experiment (MME)
  • Familiarity with the concept of ether and its historical significance in physics
  • Basic knowledge of light propagation and time measurement
  • Concept of perpendicular paths in experimental setups
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context and implications of the Michelson-Morley Experiment
  • Explore the concept of ether and its role in classical physics
  • Study the principles of light speed and its invariance in different frames of reference
  • Investigate the impact of the null result on the development of modern physics, including relativity
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, researchers in experimental science, and anyone interested in the historical experiments that shaped modern theories of light and motion.

KIRIT PUROHIT
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Pl. guide me for the doubts that i have in MME

In this experiment suppose L1 = L2 Then in this case will there be in any change in time difference T1-T2 calculated before and after rotation of the apparatus?

Another query is first we find T1-T2 now if first path is parallel to ether wind then T1>T2 & so T1-T2 is ok. But after rotating through 90 now T1 < T2 so why we do not write T2-T1?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
KIRIT PUROHIT said:
Pl. guide me for the doubts that i have in MME

In this experiment suppose L1 = L2 Then in this case will there be in any change in time difference T1-T2 calculated before and after rotation of the apparatus?
The hypothesis was that there should be a difference due to the speed of light being dependent upon the speed of the source relative to the medium (the ether). L1 and L2 were perpendicular to each other so as the Earth changed its position relative to the ether, there should be a difference between times taken for light to travel the two paths. As it turned out, there was a null result. No time difference was observed.

Another query is first we find T1-T2 now if first path is parallel to ether wind then T1>T2 & so T1-T2 is ok. But after rotating through 90 now T1 < T2 so why we do not write T2-T1?
But you would not know which direction the ether wind is travelling, so you would not know how either path is oriented to the ether wind. All you are interested in is measuring the magnitude of the time difference.

AM
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Understanding Michelson Morley Experiment
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Prove Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction w/ Michelson-Morley Experiment at Any Angle
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School How are 'fringe shifts' in the Michelson-Morley experiment calculated?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Special Relativity: Rotated Michelson Interferometer
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Why Does the Solution Use (T2 - T1) * R for Net Torque?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What is the derivation for ΔN in the MM Experiment: Fringe Shift?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K
High School Question about Michelson-Morley experiment
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
7K
Graduate Could the Michelson & Morley Experiment Have Used Electrons Instead of Light?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
Undergrad Michelson and morley interposition of the experiment
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate What is the role of the Earth's rotation in the Michelson-Morley experiment?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K