Re: Doppler question

[Tim Wilson <wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu>]

Leigh Palmer wrote:

> 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.

Gerald Holton has a chapter is his book "Thematic Origins of Scientific
Thought" on this issue. He looks at quite a lot of evidence and builds a
convincing, albeit circumstantial, case that Einstein didn't know of
Michelson-Morley. I haven't read the article for several years so I
don't remember many of the fine points. A good read, though.

-Tim

--
Timothy D. Wilson                    "A little song, a little dance,
Henry Sibley High School              a little seltzer down your pants."
1897 Delaware Ave, W St. Paul, MN          -Chuckles the Clown as
wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu                 eulogized by Ted Baxter