Frank L. H. Wolfs
Department of
Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Slide 22
Albert
Michelson (1852 - 1931):
The Michelson interferometer.
The Michelson interferometer.
¥Michelson measured the velocity of light using an
interferometer.
¥The experiment was sensitive enough to be able to detect the differences resulting from a
30 km/sec motion through absolute space due to the orbital motion of the
earth.
¥Michelson observed that the speed of light is always
the same, independent of its direction relative to the direction of motion of
the Earth.
¥He concluded that either Cleveland is always at rest
in absolute space, or Newton's laws are breaking down.
