A. Lorentz long before the statement
of the theory of relativity. This theory was of a purely
electrodynamical nature, and was obtained by the use of particular
hypotheses as to the electromagnetic structure of matter. This
circumstance, however, does not in the least diminish the
conclusiveness of the experiment as a crucial test in favour of the
theory of relativity, for the electrodynamics of Maxwell-Lorentz, on
which the original theory was based, in no way opposes the theory of
relativity. Rather has the latter been developed trom electrodynamics
as an astoundingly simple combination and generalisation of the
hypotheses, formerly independent of each other, on which
electrodynamics was built.
Notes
*) Fizeau found eq. 10 , where eq. 11
is the index of refraction of the liquid. On the other hand, owing to
the smallness of eq. 12 as compared with I,
we can replace (B) in the first place by eq. 13 , or to the same order
of approximation by
eq. 14 , which agrees with Fizeau's result.
THE HEURISTIC VALUE OF THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY
Our train of thought in the foregoing pages can be epitomised in the
following manner. Experience has led to the conviction that, on the
one hand, the principle of relativity holds true and that on the other
hand the velocity of transmission of light in vacuo has to be
considered equal to a constant c.
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