How did Michelson conduct his experiment to measure the speed of light?

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Michelson conducted his experiment to measure the speed of light using a rotating mirror alongside stationary mirrors, which was a pivotal advancement in optical science. His setup involved directing a beam of light towards a rotating mirror, which would reflect the light toward a distant stationary mirror. This stationary mirror would then reflect the light back to the rotating mirror. By the time the light returned, the mirror had rotated slightly, allowing Michelson to measure the angle of rotation and calculate the time it took for the light to travel to the stationary mirror and back.

This innovative method enabled a precise measurement of light's speed because it took into account the time delay caused by the distance traveled and the rotation of the mirror. The accuracy of Michelson's results was much improved compared to earlier methods because it reduced errors associated with manually timing events. Thus, using a rotating mirror in conjunction with stationary mirrors was essential in demonstrating the speed of light with greater precision than had been previously accomplished.