Edward Williams Morley was an American scientist born on January 29, 1838, and died on February 24, 1923. He is renowned for his significant contributions to chemistry and physics, particularly his collaboration with Albert A. Michelson on the Michelson-Morley experiment.
Morley graduated from Williams College in 1860 and later obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Heidelberg. Throughout his career, he held several prestigious teaching positions at prominent institutions including Western Reserve University and Case Institute of Technology.
His most notable work, the Michelson-Morley experiment, conducted in 1887, aimed to detect the presence of the hypothetical medium carrying light waves, known as the luminiferous ether. This experiment sought to measure the speed of light in different directions, with the hypothesis that it would be different when measured towards or against the motion of Earth in its orbit around the sun. The experiment's null result, indicating that the speed of light is constant, regardless of the direction or velocity of the observer, posed a major challenge to the prevalent theory of ether and played a pivotal role in the development of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity.
Morley's contributions extended beyond the Michelson-Morley experiment. He conducted extensive research on atomic weights and their determination through precise measurements, which played a crucial role in advancing the field of physical chemistry.
Overall, Edward Williams Morley was an accomplished American scientist known for his intensive experimental work, especially his collaboration with Michelson and his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of physics and chemistry.
