Re: Doppler question

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

> > You have neglected motion of the medium. That is not a problem
> > with light; there is no medium. With sound there is a medium.
> > It was precisely this difference that led to the formulation
> > of the special theory of relativity (or SRT if you're left-
> > handed).
> >
> > Leigh
>
> I would add only few words to the last sentence:
>
> "It was precisely this difference [in regard to mutual motion of a magnet
> and conducting loop] that led to the formulation of the special theory of
> relativity [although the latter is often presented in textbooks as
> following zero result in Michelson-Morli experiment]."

This is propagating a myth that Einstein had never heard of the
Michelson-Morley experiments. My best sources tell me that is
incorrect, though Einstein is said to have claimed that during
a visit to Japan. I would rather believe that he was answering
a different question, perhaps not the one that was asked. As I
have done the same thing while lecturing I can understand that
very easily.

Einstein claimed that he was inspired to study the problem when
he considered the problem of looking in a mirror while moving
at an increasing rate in the direction of his gaze, a related
problem. I think Ludwik should add to his list of misconceptions
the one about Einstein not knowing about Michelson Morley.

Leigh