In: Physics
Describe the Michelson-Morley experiments and how Einsteins postulates explain it
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The Michelson–Morley experiment was a scientific experiment to find the "presence and properties of a substance" called aether. Aether was believed to fill empty space. The experiment was done by Albert Michelson and Edward Morley in 1887.
The Michelson-Morley experiment was an attempt to measure the motion of an Earth through the luminous ether. Though often called the Michelson-Morley experiment, the phrase actually refers to a series of experiments which carried out by Albert Michelson in 1881.
Special relativity is based on Einstein's two postulates namely as the "Principle of Relativity" and the "Principle of Invariant Light Speed". Einstein's first postulate says that the laws of physics are the same and can be stated in their simplest form in all inertial frames of reference. It means that there is no preferred frame and no absolute motion.
Schematically, a beam of monochromatic light is divided by beam splitter (a transparent sheet at an angle). The divided beams reach two mirrors, which are returned and recombined by respectively transmission & reflection at the beam splitter. Their relative phase produces an interference pattern in the combined beam.