Michelson & Morley Experiemnt

Question 0

Hypothesis

Answer 0

• the ether is at absolute rest

- the speed of light changes according to the speed of the observer

Question 1

Purpose

Answer 1

• To measure the speed of the ether (the medium in which light is supported to travel)
• to look for the absolute system ie the ether
• to measure the speed of light

Question 2

Materials

Answer 2

• interferometer ( a device that measures changes in patterns of interference due to change in wavelength)
• far away star
• the moving earth

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Using the interferometer very small changes in the interference patterns can be detected. According to classical physics, the velocity of light going towards the star should be different from the velocity of light going away from the star.

Many attempts were made with the interferometer in different positions and at different times but no significant fringe shift was detected

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

• there is no absolute system

- the speed of light does not change in space regardless of the speed of the observer or the speed of the light source