Exam-style question
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What was the primary purpose of the Michelson-Morley experiment?.
- A.To measure the speed of light in different directions
- B.To detect the presence of the ether
- C.To demonstrate time dilation
- D.To prove the theory of relativity
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- To detect the presence of the ether
Explanation
Why this works
The Michelson-Morley experiment aimed to detect the ether, a medium once thought necessary for the propagation of light waves. The null result of the experiment suggested that the ether did not exist, leading to significant implications for physics.
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