Michelson used the motion of the Earth around the sun to try to determine the effects of the ether. Can you think of a more convenient experiment with a higher speed that Michelson might have used in the 1880s? What about today?
Chances of convenient experiment with a higher speed that Michelson might have used in the
1880s and experiment used in present time.
Answer to Problem 1Q
No, there was no chance to think about a more convenient experiment with a higher speed than Earth in 1880s and in present time higher speed than Earth is possible in hyperloop accelerators.
Explanation of Solution
This is very difficult to think about more convenient experiment with a higher speed that Michelson might have used in the 1880s. At that time Earth was the fastest possible frame. Orbital speed of Earth that is earth orbits sun with a speed about
Michelson who was an ingenious scientist for measuring the phase difference between the light waves, built a device called an interferometer. Direction of the motion of the Earth continuously changes. Due to change in direction of motion observable changes in the Earth’s orbital velocity throughout the year can be seen.
That time there was not any information about the speed of the sun through ether. In present day higher speed than Earth is possible in hyperloop accelerators. You can place whole setup in the accelerator and can observe the fringe pattern. In hyperloop accelerators, with help of low-pressure tube air resistance can be reduced which helps to achieve a higher speed.
Conclusion:
Therefore, it was not possible to more convenient experiment with higher speed in 1880s and today it is possible to get more higher speed than Earth.
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Chapter 2 Solutions
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers
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