Question

If Galileo's experiment did not measure the speed of light, what did it measure?

the speed of light using large distances
man's reaction time
actual speed of light in the air
the speed of light over a short distance

Answer 1

Galileo's experiment measured mans reaction time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

If Galileo's experiment did not measure the speed of light, it measures man's reaction time.

Option B

Explanation:

• Galileo was very keen to find out speed of light, however there were some obstacles which he was facing. Before going ahead, let us understand his experiment.

• He asked his assistant to stand 3 miles away in night, and light a lantern, and both receded time - when assistant started lantern, and when Galileo saw the lantern light up. However, the timing was same.

• They tried with 6 miles. Again same timings. Let us look at obstacles. First was as the speed is very high, the calculations were sensitive in micro and Nano units. Considering that he need to maintain the accuracy of even micro and Nano seconds, he have to take account in man's reaction time.

• As there is some time gap in receiving the signal, and processing by brain, and then transmitting the signal to react accordingly, which is known as reaction time. So if he is able to add/subtract reaction time.