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6D40.u1 - Michelson-Morley Search for Aether

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​6D40.u1 - Michelson-Morley Search for Aether

Preview
SelectSelected
Title6D40.u1 - Michelson-Morley Search for Aether
Objective

​To demonstrate Michelson-Morley's experimental search for aether and how it didn't work.

StatusAvailable
Assembly Instructions

Place the optical interferometer, laser, an image plate with attached piece of paper, and a camera onto a board that is placed on top of a turntable.​  The turntable should reside under the optical interferometer.  Once the pattern is found and the assembly is aligned, use felt strips to block of the reflected beams and allow for the apparatus to be rotated 180 degrees.

Setup Time15
Operation Time5
Preview Time10
Operation Instructions

With the camera showing the image to the class and the laser turned on, rotate the assembly around and observe that the pattern does not move at all.  This is the result that Michelson & Morley observed proving that Aether does not exist.​

ExportableNo
Demo on DimeNo
PIRA 200No
Export Instructions (if different)
HazardsNone
Analysis/Information
Category6 Optics
Subcategory6D - Interference
Keywordsaether, interference, interferometer, unsuccessful
Construction Information
 
Equipment TitleUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
QuantityUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
optical interferometer
1
laser - green 5mW, mini, battery, with fixtures
1
optical cell assembly w/ syringe
1
beam expander
1
blocking plate
1
image screen & camera (optional)
1
camera - b&w
1
turntable wooden
1
wooden board
1
c-clamp
1
extension cord
1
1
binder clip
2
clear sheet
1