Abstract
ONE of the reasons for the success of the scientific method is the rigorous control of the conditions of measurement. The effect of varying one parameter is examined while the other conditions are maintained constant. It must not be overlooked, however, that some of the conditions cannot be varied, and their effects cannot therefore be examined in this way. All measurements which have been made so far have been carried out on the Earth's surface where there is a strong gravitational field due to the Earth, a rotational velocity, and a centrifugal force balancing the Sun's gravitational field.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Einstein, A., The Principles of Relativity (Methuen and Co., London, 1923).
Essen, L., Nature, 180, 1061 (1957).
Essen, L., Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 270, 312 (1962).
Essen, L., Air, Speed and Instruments, edit. by Lees, S., 194 (McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
ESSEN, L. Basic Concepts of Measurement and the Michelson–Morley Experiment. Nature 199, 684 (1963). https://doi.org/10.1038/199684a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/199684a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.