Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ecsvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary From: dgary@ecsvax.UUCP (D Gary Grady) Newsgroups: net.physics Subject: Re: Michelson Morley experiment Message-ID: <1564@ecsvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 5-Jul-85 13:56:48 EDT Article-I.D.: ecsvax.1564 Posted: Fri Jul 5 13:56:48 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 8-Jul-85 01:30:16 EDT References: <338@sri-arpa.ARPA>, <1613@hao.UUCP> Organization: Duke U Comp Ctr Lines: 30 > From: ALBERS> How about if we say that a mass causes a curvature in the ETHER instead > of a curvature in space? Then how bout we say that it isn't a curvature > its a change in density. [..and so on in this vein..] Suppose you and I go to the equator and (starting about 100 miles apart) begin walking due north. After a long walk (and swim, with some bushwacking and rock climbing thrown in) we arrive at the pole. Assuming that we are illiterate jocks (the only folks liable to undertake such a project - and if you're an illiterate jock rest assured I'm speaking of the OTHER illiterate jocks), we are puzzled by the fact that we have been pulled together by some mysterious force between us. Repeating the experiment, we determine that we are drawn together no matter what mass each of us happens to have on a given trip, so that we always reach contact at the same point (the pole). So we decide the force must be proportional to inertial mass. How mysterious! Why should the "charge" this force reacts to be proportional to inertial mass? Eventually someone suggests that there is no force at all - the surface of the Earth is merely curved. "Curved space?" we gasp. "How difficult a concept. Wouldn't it be easier to assume the air is filled with magical fairy dust?" [Apologies to Taylor and Wheeler, from whom I lifted the curved Earth analogy if memory serves.] -- D Gary Grady Duke U Comp Center, Durham, NC 27706 (919) 684-3695 USENET: {seismo,decvax,ihnp4,akgua,etc.}!mcnc!ecsvax!dgary