plumiThe Michelson-Morley experiment: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.12.3.1 The Michelson-Morley experiment, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
All papers
All years
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(c)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 9 questions on The Michelson-Morley experiment, as a list
- November 2021, Paper 3 Turning points, Q03 (6 marks): Figure 5 shows the features of a Michelson-Morley interferometer. Figure 5 Explain how, using this arrangement, Michelson and Morley attempted to detect the abs
- June 2018, Paper 3 Turning points, Q04.1 (6 marks): Explain how the experiment provided a means of testing the idea that the Earth had an absolute motion relative to the ether. Your answer should include: • an ex
- June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q3(a) (2 marks): Explain why Michelson and Morley expected that the fringe positions would shift when the apparatus was rotated through 90º. [2 marks]
- June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): To determine v, Michelson and Morley assumed that the Sun was stationary with respect to the aether as the Earth moved through it. Suggest, using this assumptio
- June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Michelson and Morley calculated v to be 3.0 × 104 m s–1. They worked out Δf, the magnitude of the expected shift of the fringes, using the formula Δf = –––– f.
- June 2015, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q3(c) (2 marks): Although a shift of 0.4f was easily detectable, no shift was observed. Explain what this null result demonstrated and its significance for Einstein in his speci
- June 2012, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(a) (2 marks): Explain why the interference fringes shift their position if the distance from either of the two mirrors to the semi-silvered block is changed.
- June 2012, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Why was it predicted that a shift of the fringes would be observed?
- June 2012, PHYA5 Turning points (old spec), Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): What conclusion was drawn from the observation that the fringes did not shift? (1 mark)
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.