Explaining Michelson-Morley without Special Relativity

Abstract

In this paper, we first discuss the concept of an emission wave. In the history of science, this is the first time we have discovered a new way in which (transverse) waves are realized in nature. It can therefore be expected to lead to important changes in the perspective about the nature of light or radiation. Then, we point out that the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment is a natural and straightforward consequence of light being an emission wave. Concepts of special relativity, of length contraction and of time dilation, are not required for this explanation, however.