Michelson-Morley Experiment

A famous experiment which failed (?*)

*Nobel Prize, 1907


Summary of dataMichelson interferometerSome history
Index
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Michelson-Morley Data

Over a period of about 50 years, the Michelson-Morley experiment was repeated with growing levels of sophistication. The overall result is a high level of confidence that the wavelength shift is consistent with zero.

L (cm) Calculation Observation Ratio
Michelson, 1881 120 .04 .02 2
Michelson & Morley 1887 1100 .40 .01 40
Morley & Miller, 1902-04 3220 1.13 .015 80
Illingworth, 1927 200 .07 .0004 175
Joos,1930 2100 .75 .002 375

Shankland, et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 27, 167 (1955)

Index

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