Why was the Michelson-Morley experiment a more sensitive test of motion through the ether than independent measurements of the
Answer to Problem 1FTD
Explanation of Solution
Michelson-Morley experiment obtained this result from the interference pattern formed by two perpendicular light beams. If there is a phase shift between the beams, implies the relative velocity between the earth and ether. In the experiment, the phase shift was negligibly small, means no relative motion exists between the earth and ether. The interference pattern in Michelson-Morley experiment has strong correlation with motion through ether. This is why the Michelson-Morley experiment is said to be a sensitive test of motion through ether than independent measurements of speed of light in two perpendicular directions.
Conclusion: Therefore, the interference pattern in Michelson-Morley experiment denotes the existence of ether; it can be treated as a sensitive test of motion through ether than independent measurements of speed of light in two perpendicular directions.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 33 Solutions
Essential University Physics: Volume 2 (3rd Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Sears And Zemansky's University Physics With Modern Physics
Conceptual Physical Science (6th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals (2nd Edition)
Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)
Applied Physics (11th Edition)
- It is said that Einstein, in his teenage years, asked the question, What would I see in a mirror if I carried it in my hands and ran at the speed of light? How would you answer this question?arrow_forwardTo whom does an object seem greater in length, an observer moving with the object or an observer moving relative to the object? Which observer measures the object's proper length?arrow_forwardTwo astronomical events are observed to occur at a time of 0.30 s apart and a distance separation of 2.0109m from each other. How fast must a spacecraft travel from the site of one event toward the other to make the events occur at the same time when measured in the frame of reference of the spacecraft?arrow_forward
- Consider the relativistic form of Newtons second law. Show that when F is parallel to v, F=m(1v2c2)3/2dvdt where m is the mass of an object and v is its speed.arrow_forwardAn astronaut moves away from Earth at a speed close to the speed of light. If an observer on Earth could make measurements of the astronauts size and pulse rate, what changes (if any) would he or she measure? Would the astronaut measure any changes?arrow_forwardIf a spaceship is approaching the Earth at 0.100c and a message capsule is sent toward it at 0.100c relative to Earth, what is the speed of the capsule relative to the ship?arrow_forward
- An observer standing by the railroad tracks sees two bolts of lightning strike the ends of a 500-m-long train simultaneously at the instant the middle of the train passes him at 50 m/s. Use the Lorentz transformation to find the time between the lightning strikes as measured by a passenger seated in the middle of the train.arrow_forwardShow that the equation is invariant under a Lorentz transformation but not under a Galilean transformation. (This is the wave equation that describes the propagation of light waves in free space.)arrow_forwardA space probe speeding towards the nearest star moves at 0.250c and sends radio information at a broadcast frequency of 1.00 GHz. What frequency is received on Earth?arrow_forward
- When a missile is shot from one spaceship toward another, it leaves the first at 0.950c and approaches the other at 0.750c. What is the relative velocity of the two ships?arrow_forwardIf two spaceships are heading directly toward each other at 0.800c, at what speed must a canister be shot from the first ship to approach the other at 0.999c as seen by the second ship?arrow_forwardIf the ship moves past the observer at 0.01000c, what length will the observer measure?arrow_forward
- Modern PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781111794378Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. MoyerPublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics Volume 3PhysicsISBN:9781938168185Author:William Moebs, Jeff SannyPublisher:OpenStaxPhysics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations...PhysicsISBN:9781133939146Author:Katz, Debora M.Publisher:Cengage Learning
- Classical Dynamics of Particles and SystemsPhysicsISBN:9780534408961Author:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. MarionPublisher:Cengage LearningPrinciples of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage Learning