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Chapter 33: Problem 2

Why was it necessary to repeat the Michelson-Morley experiment throughout the year?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Michelson-Morley experiment was repeated throughout the year to account for changes in the Earth’s motion due to its rotation and orbit around the Sun. If the ether hypothesis held true, these changes in motion should affect the speed of light in different directions, which could be detected by observing changes in the interference pattern. Therefore, repeating the experiment allowed for a thorough assessment of the ether hypothesis.

Step by step solution

01

Understand The Michelson-Morley Experiment

In the Michelson-Morley experiment, a light beam was split into two perpendicular pathways, reflected off the mirrors, and recombined. This is called an interferometer. If the ether existed and the Earth was moving through it, a phase shift would occur between the two light beams due to the difference in the speed of light in different directions. This phase shift could be detected as an interference pattern when the two light beams were recombined.
02

Understand Earth’s Movement In Space

The Earth rotates about its axis and orbits the Sun. Since the Earth's movement is not static, if the ether existed, it wouldn't only affect the speed of light based on Earth's rotation (i.e., the time of the day), but also based on Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun (i.e., the time of the year). If ether existed, the speed of light should vary depending on the time of day and the time of year.
03

Explain The Need To Repeat The Experiment

To detect any changes in the speed of light due to Earth's rotation and orbit, the Michelson-Morley experiment was repeated at different times of the day and different seasons of the year. This would allow them to observe any changes in the interference pattern caused by variations in the Earth's motion through the hypothesized ether. Repeating the experiment validated the consistency and reliability of the results.

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