A Medium for the Propagation of Light Revisited
Lori Anne Gardi
Although it is well known that mechanical waves require the presence of a medium for wave propagation, it is commonly thought that electromagnetic waves do not require a medium. The purpose of this essay is the demonstrate, using logic and common sense, that electromagnetic waves (i.e., light) also requires the presence of a medium for propagation. Using the logic and math associated with wave propagation in a material medium, the composition of the medium for the propagation of light (the aether) is hence deduced. Using this approach, the null result of the Michelson-Morley experiment is explained, and an alternate experiment to detect the luminiferous aether is proposed.
