Frank L. H. Wolfs
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Slide 21
Albert Michelson (1852 - 1931):
Measuring the velocity of light.
¥The foundation of Newton's laws of motion started to break down when Albert Michelson measured the velocity of light.
¥According to Newton's theories, a measurement of the speed of light must depend on the velocity of the reference frame of the observer, and the direction of the light with respect to the motion of this reference frame.
¥Since the earth is moving through absolute space, the velocity of light was expected to change with changes in direction.