Michelson–Morley Experiment

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The Michelson–Morley experiment, conducted in 1887 by Albert A. Michelson and Edward W. Morley, aimed to detect the motion of the Earth through the luminiferous aether, a hypothetical medium thought to carry light waves. Using an interferometer, they split a light beam into two perpendicular paths, expecting a difference in light speed due to Earth's motion through the aether. However, no significant difference was observed, contradicting aether theories and laying groundwork for special relativity. The experiment's null result was pivotal in challenging the aether hypothesis and contributed significantly to the development of modern physics. It led to subsequent experiments and theoretical developments, including Einstein's theory of relativity, which posits that light speed is constant regardless of observer motion. The Michelson–Morley experiment remains a cornerstone in the history of physics, marking a shift from classical mechanics to modern theories of space and time.