Skip to main content
Log in

Two studies concerning the Michelson-Morley experiment

  • Published:
Foundations of Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the first of these two studies it is argued that the discrepancy between the predicted and actual outcome of the Michelson-Morley experiment is due to the use of Newton's velocity addition theorem in conjunction with an electromagnetic theory of light. The ether hypothesis is not directly affected at all. The second study is a case study of the removal of a clash in physics generated from the outcome of an experiment. The clash due to the Michelson-Morley experiment gave rise to a program of revision. In the process of implementation of this program Newtonian mechanics was remolded. It is argued that the Riemannian space-time in Einstein's general theory of relativity may be regarded as a successor of the classical ether.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. Aharoni,The Special Theory of Relativity (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1959).

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. Bohm,The Special Theory of Relativity (Benjamin, Amsterdam and New York, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  3. M. Bunge,Foundations of Physics (Springer, New York, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  4. A. Einstein, H. A. Lorentz, H. Weyl, and H. Minkowski,The Principle of Relativity, A collection of original memoirs on the special and general theory of relativity (Originally published Methuen, London, 1923; reprinted by Dover Publications, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. Grünbaum,Philosophical Problems of Space and Time (Knopf, New York, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Grünbaum,Geometry and Chronometry in Philosophical Perspective (University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 1968).

    Google Scholar 

  7. E. A. Milne,Kinematic Relativity (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1948).

    Google Scholar 

  8. C. Möller,The Theory of Relativity (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1951).

    Google Scholar 

  9. R. Nevanlinna,Raum, Zeit und Relativität (Birkhäuserverlag, Basel and Stuttgart, 1964).

    Google Scholar 

  10. E. P. Ney,Electromagnetism and Relativity (Harper and Row, New York, 1965).

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. Papapetrou,Spezielle Relativitätstheorie (DVW, Berlin, 1955).

    Google Scholar 

  12. S. J. Prokhovnik,The Logic of Special Relativity (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  13. H. Reichenbach,The Philosophy of Space and Time (Dover, New York, 1958).

    Google Scholar 

  14. E. F. Taylor and J. A. Wheeler,Space-Time Physics (Freeman, San Francisco and London, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  15. H. Törnebohm,A Logical Analysis of the Theory of Relativity (Almquist and Wiksell, Stockholm, 1952).

    Google Scholar 

  16. H. Törnebohm,Fysik och Filosofi (Physics and Philosophy) (Almquist and Wiksell, Stockholm, 1957).

    Google Scholar 

  17. H. Törnebohm,Concepts and Principles in Space-Time Theory within Enstein's Special Theory of Relativity (Almquist and Wiksell, Stockholm, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  18. H. Törnebohm, A foundational study of Einstein's space-time theory,Scientia 104, no. 687–688 (1969).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Törnebohm, H. Two studies concerning the Michelson-Morley experiment. Found Phys 1, 47–56 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00708654

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00708654

Keywords

Navigation