What was the purpose of the Michelson-Morley experiment what were its results?
Michelson-Morley experiment, an attempt to detect the velocity of Earth with respect to the hypothetical luminiferous ether, a medium in space proposed to carry light waves. First performed in Germany in 1880–81 by the physicist A.A. Michelson, the test was later refined in 1887 by Michelson and Edward W.
What did Michelson and Morley discover in 1887?
The Michelson and Morley 1887 Experiment and the Discovery of Absolute Motion. So this experiment detected both absolute motion and the breakdown of Newtonian physics. So far another six experiments have confirmed this first detection of absolute motion in 1887.
What was the purpose of the Michelson-Morley experiment Mcq?
Explanation: In Michaelson Morley experiment, the aim was to find the time difference from which the relative velocity between ether and the earth could be estimated. However, no shift was observed. Hence it proved, that ether has no observable properties and that velocity of light is same in all directions.
What was the objective of conducting the Michelson-Morley experiment describe the experiment How is the negative result of Michelson-Morley experiment interpreted?
The main objective of this Michelson-Morley experiment was to check the presence of this medium called ether. The aim was supposed to be fulfilled by measuring the velocity of the earth with respect to the ether.
What does a Michelson interferometer measure?
The Michelson interferometer and its modifications are used in the optical industry for testing lenses and prisms, for measuring index of refraction, and for examining minute details of surfaces (microtopographies). The instrument consists of a half-silvered mirror that divides a light beam into two equal parts,…
What is Michelson interferometer explain its working?
The Michelson interferometer works by splitting a beam of monochromatic light into two equal amplitude beams. One beam hits a fixed mirror and the other hits a movable mirror giving different beam lengths which converge on a detector screen giving an interference pattern.
What was the need of Michelson-Morley’s experiment discuss the experiment in detail and explain its negative result?
The result was negative, in that Michelson and Morley found no significant difference between the speed of light in the direction of movement through the presumed aether, and the speed at right angles.
How does the Michelson-Morley experiment contradicted the ether hypothesis?
They found that light moves at the same velocity regardless of the water’s motion, suggesting that the ether is not affected by moving matter. This contradicted the ether drag hypothesis and Michelson’s 1881 results, which provided another reason to redo the experiment.
What is Michelson interferometer and its uses?
A Michelson interferometer is a tool used to produce interference between two beams of light. It is the most common design for optical interferometry and the first interferometer invented, by Albert Abraham Michelson in the late 19th century.
How does a Michelson interferometer determine wavelength?
The m = 122 fringes observed compose the difference between the number of wavelengths that fit within the empty chamber (vacuum) and the number of wavelengths that fit within the same chamber when it is gas-filled. The wavelength in the filled chamber is shorter by a factor of n, the index of refraction. N=Lλ=2tλ0/n.
Why do we use Michelson interferometer?
How a Michelson interferometer can be used for measuring distances?
The slits can be used as simple interferometer. If the distance between the slits is known, the wavelength of the light can be determined by measuring the distance of the maxima and minima. If the wavelength is known, the distance of the slits can be determined.
What did Michelson and Morley discover about the aether?
Morley ascribed this breakdown to the intense work of Michelson during the preparation of the experiments. In 1886, Michelson and Morley successfully confirmed Fresnel’s drag coefficient – this result was also considered as a confirmation of the stationary aether concept. This result strengthened their hope of finding the aether wind.
When was the Michelson-Morley experiment performed?
The experiment was performed between April and July 1887 by Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley at what is now Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and published in November of the same year. It compared the speed of light in perpendicular directions, in an attempt to detect the relative motion…
Who discovered the motion of the Earth through the ether?
In 1887 Michelson, in collaboration with American chemist Edward Morley, completed a precise set of optical measurements designed to detect the motion of Earth through the ether as it orbited the Sun.
When was Michelson’s interferometer invented?
Michelson’s 1881 interferometer. Although ultimately it proved incapable of distinguishing between differing theories of aether -dragging, its construction provided important lessons for the design of Michelson and Morley’s 1887 instrument.