Edward Morley

Name: On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree
Author: Edward Morley

On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

Summary

“On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree”, published in 1905, is a work by Edward Morley. It explores elements such as wave, azimuth and aberration.

Quotes from On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (Edward Morley)

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ We may simply say that experience with mirrors as nearly plane as those used by us has shown us that the method of observation supposed would suffice for angles of aberration at least twenty-five times that expected if the velocity-ratio is 10,000.
Since the experiment gives a null result, it is not worth the space to prove that what is true of this adjustment is true with sufficient approximation for an adjustment which differs from the assumed adjustment only by the rotation of mirror I by an angle of ten seconds around a perpendicular axis passing through its surface. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ To measure or to detect this inclination is to measure or to detect the secondary aberration which interests us. If we could measure the perpendicular distance between these wave-fronts at a sufficient distance from B, we should know the angle between them. But h" is only a fictitious line. What we cannot measure between h and h" we can measure between a and a', provided we can determine the point of intersection between a and a', and provided this be found in a convenient position. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ A certain wave-front enters the apparatus, making with II an angle which is to be specified. If some given ray enters the apparatus so as to pass axially through the telescope, rays making an angle of 5 minutes on either side of it will pass through our actual apparatus. Almost any ray, wisely selected, may be used to determine what we desire to know about the whole pencil. For instance, we might select the ray which, after reflexion from II, shall return to the point in the mirror D at which it first passed through this semitransparent mirror ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ While the ray of light moves from D to I and returns to D, the mirror D moves to the new position D2. The angle of reflexion from D is no longer equal to the angle of incidence. The ray moving from D towards II finds the latter in the position II2, returns to D2, and is reflected from D2 nearly in the same direction with the ray from I. In four azimuths of the apparatus the coincidence is exact; for all others, the ray I and the ray II are inclined at a small angle which, at its maximum, is numerically equal to , v and V being the velocities of the apparatus and of light. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ The simplest treatment is possible when we select that system of wave-fronts which make with the mirror II an angle , where α is the azimuth of the apparatus measured from the position in which its motion through the æther is parallel to the axis of the observing telescope. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ We use wave-lengths to measure a length of less than 0.0002 mm., to determine the angle h B h". Is the scale of variable value? The light from a source moving with the apparatus has its wave-length modified by the motion. Dr. Hicks gives the formula for this effect in equation (4) , page 17. If with this and the equation (2) we compute the wave-length resolved in the axis, at the azimuths where the effect is a maximum, and for the velocity ratio 100, the two minima are 0.9899995 L and 0.9899505 L, while the two maxima are both 0.9999500 L, where L is the wave-length in the case of no motion. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ Hicks, the shifting of the intersection is a maximum, and we will assume the extreme case where the velocity of the apparatus is half that of light.
Fig. 6.In fig. 6, the mirrors D, I, and II are accordingly supposed to move in the direction of the arrow. Let τ be the period of the waves of light incident on D; according to the previous specification, the angle between these wave-fronts and the plane of II is ; that is, they are parallel to II. Lay off on c d, the line of motion of a certain point of the mirror D, the positions of this point at the times 0, τ, 2τ, &c. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edward Morley, On the Theory of Experiments to detect Aberrations of the Second Degree (1905)

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1941, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 81 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”

Edward Morley

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