Michelson-Morley Experiment

The Michelson-Morley Experiment demolished the concept of the luminiferous aether, a supposed medium for light waves. In 1887, Albert Michelson and Edward Morley used an interferometer to detect Earth's motion through the aether, measuring light-speed changes as small as 0.4% of the expected shift. They found none, setting the stage for Einstein's special relativity. This null result is 50% more impactful than the aether's predicted signal, proving the speed of light is constant. It remains a benchmark for precision null experiments, influencing tests of relativity today.