Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source

In summary, the Michelson Morley experiment used a light source to test for speed invariance. The original paper can be easily found online and there have been other experiments using sunlight as a source of light. The FAQ on the experiment is a good starting point for further reading and the experiments conducted by Dayton C. Miller also used sunlight. However, the original MMX cannot be replicated with sunlight due to the need for comparisons at different times of day and night.
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Shehreyar Khan
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My question is that in Michelson Morley experiment, how they produced the light? what was the light source and has anyone used sunlight as a source yet to re-confirm that experiment? I am interested in sunlight as a source of light due to certain reason... Please if you know kindly mention the link as well or reference so that I can check that too... thanks..
 
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  • #2
The original Michelson and Morley paper is easily found with Google - it's even linked off the Wikipedia page on the experiment. You can look up the details of the apparatus yourself.

The FAQ linked at the top of this sub-forum is a sensible place to start for further reading. Guessing that you are thinking that light from moving sources has not been tested for speed invariance, the relevant section is http://www.edu-observatory.org/physics-faq/Relativity/SR/experiments.html#moving-source_tests
 
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Note that the original MMX can not be done with sunlight since a big part of the experiment was comparing the fringes at different times of day and night.

Of course, similar interforemeters have been used with many light sources.
 

FAQ: Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source

What is the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source?

The Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source is a scientific experiment conducted in the late 19th century by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley. It was designed to measure the hypothetical "ether wind" that was believed to exist and carry light through space.

How does the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source work?

The experiment involved splitting a beam of light into two perpendicular beams and then recombining them to create an interference pattern. If the Earth was moving through the ether, the speed of light in one direction would be faster than the other, causing a shift in the interference pattern. This shift would provide evidence for the existence of the ether wind.

What were the results of the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source?

The results of the experiment were unexpected and controversial. The interference pattern showed no shift, indicating that the Earth was not moving through the ether as previously believed. This result challenged the prevailing scientific theories and paved the way for the development of the theory of relativity.

Why is the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source important?

The Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source is considered one of the most important experiments in the history of physics. Its results challenged long-held beliefs about the nature of light and paved the way for the development of the theory of relativity. It also provided evidence for the constancy of the speed of light, which is a fundamental principle in modern physics.

Has the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source been replicated?

Yes, the Michelson Morley Experiment Light Source has been replicated numerous times by different scientists and with more advanced technology. The results have consistently shown no shift in the interference pattern, further supporting the conclusion that the Earth is not moving through the ether and confirming the principles of the theory of relativity.

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