Quirino Majorana

Name: Experimental Demonstration of the Constancy of Velocity of the Light emitted by a Moving Source
Author: Quirino Majorana

Biographical details

Quirino Majorana (1871-1957) published works such as Experimental Demonstration of the Constancy of Velocity of the Light emitted by a Moving Source and On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity: Experimental Demonstration of the Constancy of Velocity of the Light reflected from a Moving Mirror. These writings evoke velocity, fringes and displacement.

Quotes by Quirino Majorana

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ But on the other hand, as Levi-Civita observes, after the latest researches of Einstein, which collect in an admirably comprehensive synthesis all the physical phenomena (gravitation included) , it is difficult to avoid the impression that we are, as regards the theory of relativity, face to face with some definite acquisition. But, while taking account of this, it is not expedient to neglect any attempt at a definite confirmation, from an experimental point of view, of a theory which has subverted to so large an extent our simplest physical notions. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ The second postulate must be understood in the sense that an observer who measures the velocity of light finds always the same value if both he and the source be at rest, relative or (if the possibility be admitted) absolute, or if the source or the observer, or both, have a uniform motion of translation. In short, the second postulate affirms the absolute independence of c of any contingency whatever of uniform motion of translation of the source or of the observer. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, Experimental Demonstration of the Constancy of Velocity of the Light emitted by a Moving Source (1919)

“ In fact, two experimental circumstances must not be forgotten: first, the presence of materials which are traversed by the interfering rays (air, glass, metals) ; and second, the gravitation field of our earth. While it is possible to imagine experiments entirely apart from the former, it cannot be foreseen if later experimental results will bring into evidence the eventual influence of the second. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ Indeed, it should be borne in mind that the ordinary grating theory [8] may not apply exactly in the case of a mechanical (ballistic or emissive) theory of light. In any case it should be remarked that astronomical observations of the Doppler effect are not always made with an à priori knowledge of the relative velocities of source and observer. In the case of the solar limb it is necessary, moreover, to be cautious in establishing a relation between the measure of displacement of the lines and the velocity of the limb established by observation of the solar spots ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ It does not follow, therefore, that even if c in a vacuum varies with the particular velocity of the source, this quantity does not return to the same fixed value after the said phenomena of reflexion, refraction, &c. It will be well, therefore, to endeavour to eliminate as far as possible, in an experiment of this nature, all causes tending to complicate the phenomenon, and in every case to consider its results carefully. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, Experimental Demonstration of the Constancy of Velocity of the Light emitted by a Moving Source (1919)

“ Although in tact the quantity of mercury contained in each tube is absolutely insufficient to establish a continued metallic connexion between A and B, the excitement frequently happens spontaneously by reason of ionization of the remaining gas, caused by the mechanical shaking during rotation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ Before expounding this method it is well to recall that many theoretical researches have been made on the influence of the motion of the mirror upon the reflected luminous wave, amongst them those of Abraham, Brown, Edser, Harnack, Larmor, Planck. These researches make of the problem either a simply geometrical investigation, or an application of the electromagnetic theory of light. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ As soon as a difference of path occurs (even if only of a few microns) observation with white light is no longer possible. Monochromatic light must then be used, and the order of the interference fringes increases with this difference. Their visibility is greater, the simpler the luminous vibrations. From the researches of Michelson [17] it is known that from this point of view the line that gives the greatest visibility of the fringes with the greatest difference in path is the green one of mercury (λ = 546μμ) . ”

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Source: Wikisource

Quirino Majorana, On the Second Postulate of the Theory of Relativity… (1918)

“ The support for the bearings of the axle of R carries also fixed mirrors F, vertical like M, of which the number in the figure is three; but this number may, at will, be reduced, or increased up to nine. ”

Quirino Majorana

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