Michelson–Morley experiment

E5002

The Michelson–Morley experiment was a landmark 1887 physics experiment that attempted to detect the Earth's motion through the hypothesized luminiferous aether and whose null result helped pave the way for Einstein's theory of special relativity.

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Predicate Object
instanceOf historical scientific experiment
interferometry experiment
physics experiment
aimedTo detect the Earth’s motion through the luminiferous aether
measure differences in the speed of light due to aether wind
challenged luminiferous aether hypothesis
conclusion no detectable aether drift
conductedBy Albert A. Michelson
Edward W. Morley
considered one of the most important null results in physics
contradicted aether wind predictions
country United States
endDate 1887-07-31
field optics
physics
relativity
found no significant difference in the speed of light in different directions
influenced Albert Einstein
special relativity
legacy paved the way for modern relativity theory
undermined classical aether theories
location Case School of Applied Science
Cleveland, Ohio
linked to: Cleveland
preceded Einstein’s 1905 paper on special relativity
precision one of the most precise optical experiments of the 19th century
publication On the Relative Motion of the Earth and the Luminiferous Ether
publicationYear 1887
publishedIn American Journal of Science
relatedConcept Galilean relativity
Lorentz contraction
Lorentz transformations
aether theory
invariance of the speed of light
relatedTo Ives–Stilwell experiment
Kennedy–Thorndike experiment
Trouton–Noble experiment
result null result
startDate 1887-07-01
supported constancy of the speed of light in all directions
usedComponent half-silvered mirror
light source
optical mirrors
orthogonal interferometer arms
usedInstrument Michelson interferometer
usedMedium light in air
usedMethod optical interferometry
year 1887

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Referenced by (16)

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On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies relatedTo Michelson–Morley experiment
Michelson–Morley experiment publication On the Relative Motion of the Earth and the Luminiferous Ether
linked to: Michelson–Morley experiment
Michelson interferometer usedInExperiment Michelson–Morley experiment
Kennedy–Thorndike experiment relatedTo Michelson–Morley experiment
Kennedy–Thorndike experiment comparedWith Michelson–Morley experiment with equal arms
linked to: Michelson–Morley experiment
Ives–Stilwell experiment relatedTo Michelson–Morley experiment
Case School of Applied Science knownFor Michelson–Morley experiment
Albert A. Michelson knownFor Michelson–Morley experiment
Albert A. Michelson notableWork Michelson–Morley experiment
Edward W. Morley notableWork Michelson–Morley experiment
Trouton–Noble experiment relatedTo Michelson–Morley experiment
Lorentz ether theory influencedBy Michelson–Morley experiment
Albert A. Michelson knownFor Michelson–Morley experiment
subject linked to: Albert
Albert A. Michelson notableWork Michelson–Morley experiment
subject linked to: Albert
Albert A. Michelson notableExperiment Michelson–Morley experiment
subject linked to: Albert
Fizeau experiment influenced Michelson light-speed measurements
linked to: Michelson–Morley experiment