Why Did the Michelson-Morley Experiment Assume Aether Has a Constant Velocity?

In summary, the Michelson-Morley experiment assumes that the aether has a unidirectional constant velocity for simplicity. This doesn't disprove aether theory, but rather suggests that it needs to be modified. There was a complicated aether theory that explained experiments up to 1920, but it was abandoned in favor of the simpler theory of relativity. Additionally, experiments like the QED calculation and the Galilean transform support the use of relativity over aether theory. The aether theory was based on the belief that a medium was needed for electromagnetic wave propagation, similar to sound. However, the MM experiment showed that the speed of light was not affected by motion through the aether, contradicting this theory.
  • #1
SwineFromHELL
1
0
can sm1 tell me why in the michelson morley experiment aeteher is assumed to have a unidorectional constant velocity ??

thankyou so much
 
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  • #2
For simplicity. That means that the MM experiment doesn't prove that aether theory is wrong, just that it needs to be modified. I've read that a viable aether theory exists that explains all experiments up to around 1920, but that it was very complicated, and not worth using since relativity was much simpler in comparison. Since 1920 we've had lots of other experiments that can be explained using relativity. Eg. the QED calculation of the electron moment, which relies on special relativity, matches the experimental result to 1 part in 109 (or whatever the limit of experimental precision is). It suspect aether theory probably could not match that no matter how it's modified.
 
  • #3
There's a second reason. The Galilean transform was already known from experiments to be applicable to Newton's laws. Assuming the aether to have a unidirectional constant velocity was the simplest way of using the Galilean transform to analyse the Michelson-Morley experiment.
 
  • #4
because the aether must be a solid.
 
  • #5
The aether notion was rooted in classical physics [circa 19th century]. Scientists noted that sound required a media through which to propogate. They attempted to apply this logic to EM wave propogation. They deduced the speed of light, as is the case with sound, would be affected by motion through the media. The MM experiment assumed the speed of light would be seasonally affected if it propogated through a media [due to Earth's motion through the 'aether']. No such affect was observed. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelson-Morley_experiment for further details.
 

FAQ: Why Did the Michelson-Morley Experiment Assume Aether Has a Constant Velocity?

What is aether?

Aether, also known as ether, is a hypothetical substance that was once believed to fill the space above the Earth's atmosphere. It was thought to be the medium through which light and other electromagnetic waves traveled. However, modern science has shown that aether does not exist and the concept has been replaced by the theory of relativity.

Why was aether proposed?

Aether was proposed in the 19th century to explain the phenomenon of light and how it traveled through space. It was believed that since light could travel through a vacuum, there must be something in space that allowed it to do so. Aether was also thought to be responsible for the propagation of other electromagnetic waves such as radio waves.

How was the existence of aether disproven?

In the late 19th and early 20th century, a series of experiments were conducted to try and detect the presence of aether. However, all of these experiments failed to show any evidence of its existence. The most famous of these experiments was the Michelson-Morley experiment, which showed that the speed of light was constant regardless of the direction of travel, thus disproving the need for an aether medium.

What replaced the concept of aether?

The theory of relativity, proposed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century, replaced the concept of aether. This theory states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. It also explains the behavior of light and other electromagnetic waves without the need for a medium like aether.

Is there any evidence for the existence of aether?

No, there is no evidence to support the existence of aether. All scientific experiments and observations have shown that aether does not exist and the concept has been replaced by more accurate and comprehensive theories such as the theory of relativity. Aether remains a historical concept with no scientific basis.

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