宇宙之钥

Michelson and Morley believed this ether wind should be detectable here on Earth.

迈克尔孙和莫利认为 以太风在地球上侦测得到

and design an experiment to measure its effects.

因此设计一项实验来测量其作用

They ran their experiment in a crowded basement.

他们的实验在狭窄的地下室进行

But to understand the principle behind it.

但为了解其原理

I thought we get them out of the lab and stay out here on the beach.

我想我们就请他们出来 到海滩上进行

Since the earth is constantly orbiting the sun.

由于地球不断绕着太阳运转

then the ether wind would be ever-present.

因此"以太风"就会随时存在

and would effect the speed of light here,on earth.

也因此会影响地球上的光速

If a beam of light was traveling with the ether wind behind them.

若光束顺着以太风前进

the light should move faster.

光的速度应当会比较快

But if light was traveling in the exact opposite direction,

但若光的行进方向正好相反

and so was fighting oncoming ether wind,the speed of light should slow down.

等于得对抗迎面而来的以太风 那光速应当会减缓

And the difference between those two speeds should be measurable.

而这两种速度的差异应该可测量出来

But they couldn't detect any difference.

但他们测不出任何差异

Whichever way the light waves were pointing.

无论光波朝哪个方向

They couldn't find any slowing down or speeding.

他们都测不出任何速度增减

This result was deeply disturbing.

这项结果令他们非常不安

The luminiferous ether could not exist.

光以太不可能存在

What's more,it meant the speed of light must be constant in all directions.

更有甚者 这表示无论往任何方向 光速始终维持恒定

重点讲解

1、principle

道德原则；行为准则；操守

Buck never allowed himself to be bullied into doing anything that went against his principles...

巴克从来不会因为受到威胁而做违背自己原则的事情。

moral principles.

道德准则

法则；原则；原理

a violation of the basic principles of Marxism.

违背马克思主义的基本原则

The doctrine was based on three fundamental principles.

这个学说建立在三条基本原理之上。

（科学）原理，定律

These people lack all understanding of scientific principles.

这些人对科学原理一窍不通。

the principles of quantum theory.

量子论原理

2、direction

方向;方位

St Andrews was ten miles in the opposite direction.

圣安德鲁斯在相反方向上 10 英里处。

He drove off in the direction of Larry's shop.

他驾车朝着拉里商店的方向驶去。

（发展）方向，趋势，倾向

They threatened to walk out if the party did not change direction.

他们威胁说，如果该党不改变方针，他们就将集体退席。

I've never done any sustained writing, but that might be one of my next directions.

我以前从未尝试过持续写作，不过那可能是我下一步努力的方向之一。

指示;说明;指路

I should know by now not to throw away the directions until we've finished cooking.

现在我知道了不该在饭没做完之前就扔掉烹饪说明。

He proceeded to give Dan directions to the computer room.

他接着告诉丹去计算机房该怎么走。