Definition:Aether (Physics)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Definition
An aether was a hypothetical weightless fluid which was supposed to pervade the whole of the physical universe, including all matter.
Its purpose was to attempt to explain the phenomenon of action at a distance.
Also known as
Aether, whether referred to as a philosophical or physical concept, was often seen at one point (particularly when used by trashy SF pulps as space) spelt ether.
However, this is so easily confused with the gas ether that this usage is strongly not recommended.
Also see
- Definition:Quintessence (an archaic and obsolete philosophical concept, also known as aether)
Historical Note
The existence of an aether, as a hitherto undetected entity in physics, was still being posited as late as the $20$th century as a medium through which electromagnetic radiation was able to travel.
Its existence was disproved by the Michelson-Morley Experiment.
Sources
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): action at a distance
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): action at a distance