3238: Soniferous Aether - Revision history

82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T10:18:26Z

‎Explanation

82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T10:15:07Z

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82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T10:13:42Z

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82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T09:44:40Z

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104.28.215.220 at 09:34, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T09:34:19Z

Linneris: fix typo

2026-04-28T08:54:41Z

fix typo

GSLikesCats307 at 08:39, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T08:39:08Z

82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T08:26:06Z

‎Explanation

82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T08:25:41Z

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82.13.184.33: /* Explanation */

2026-04-28T08:24:49Z

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@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, by demonstrating that the {{w|speed of light}} was constant, regardless of relative movement through the supposed aether. Nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
-In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] have noticed that the {{w|speed of sound}} is ''not'' constant, and so present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'matter'. In most cases we encounter, this means air. Reinventing things from first principles has previously [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
+In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] have noticed that the {{w|speed of sound}} is ''not'' constant, and so present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'matter'. In most cases we encounter, this means air. Air surrounds us so ubiquitously that we often tend to treat it as if it is empty space.
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, by demonstrating that the {{w|speed of light}} was constant, regardless of relative movement through the supposed aether. Nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
-In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] have noticed that the {{w|speed of sound}} is ''not'' constant, and so present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'air'. Reinventing things from first principles has previously [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
+In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] have noticed that the {{w|speed of sound}} is ''not'' constant, and so present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'matter'. In most cases we encounter, this means air. Reinventing things from first principles has previously [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ==Explanation==
 {{incomplete|This page was created recently by a BOT THAT BREATHES SONIFEROUS AETHER. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
-Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
+Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, by demonstrating that the {{w|speed of light}} was constant, regardless of relative movement through the supposed aether. Nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
-In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'air'. Reinventing things from first principles has previously   [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
+In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] have noticed that the {{w|speed of sound}} is ''not'' constant, and so present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'air'. Reinventing things from first principles has previously [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
-In this comic, [[Cueball]] & [[Ponytail]] are also suggesting a {{w|luminous aether}} for the speed of sound instead. However, this 'aether' is actually air, pointeed out in the text below. Reinventing things on first principles [[2834|has been discussed before]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
+In this comic, [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] present their new theory, by analogy, of a 'soniferous aether' to explain the properties of sound. However, we already have a name for this 'aether', which is 'air'. Reinventing things from first principles has previously   [[2834|been discussed]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
-In this comic, [[Cueball]] & [[Ponytail]] are also suggesting a {{w|luminous aether}} for the speed of sound instead. However, this 'aether' is actually air, pointeed out in the text below. Reinventing things on first principles [[2834|has been discussed before]] on [[xkcd]].
+In this comic, [[Cueball]] & [[Ponytail]] are also suggesting a {{w|luminous aether}} for the speed of sound instead. However, this 'aether' is actually air, pointeed out in the text below. Reinventing things on first principles [[2834|has been discussed before]] [[2724|multiple times]] on [[xkcd]].
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 28 April 2026
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	Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w\|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w\|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w\|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.		Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w\|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w\|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w\|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
		+
		+	In this comic, [[Cueball]] & [[Ponytail]] are also sudgesting a {{w\|luminous aether}} for the speed of sound instead. However, this 'aether' is actually air, pointeed out in the text below. Reinventing things on first principles [[2834\|has been discussed before]] on [[xkcd]].

	The title text references {{w\|Albert Einstein\|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w\|Tu-144}}, {{w\|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.		The title text references {{w\|Albert Einstein\|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w\|Tu-144}}, {{w\|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 This comic makes a joke on the {{w|speed of light}} and the {{w|speed of sound}}, and the way in which speed and light travel.
-Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light, especially its ability to travel in a vacuum, which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
+Beginning in the late 1690s, scientists posited a {{w|luminiferous aether}} to explain properties of light (especially its ability to travel in a vacuum) which should not be possible for a wave. The 1887 {{w|Michelson–Morley experiment}} disproved its existence, and nowadays this property is explained by {{w|wave–particle duality}}, which says that light can act as both a particle and a wave.
 The title text references {{w|Albert Einstein|Albert Einstein's}} thought experiment where he imagined riding alongside a light particle/wave (which was referenced in [[2959: Beam of Light]]), but with a sound wave instead. Travelling at the speed of sound can be accomplished with a fast airplane. Usually these would be military aircraft, though the {{w|Tu-144}}, {{w|Concorde}}, and (briefly) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/i-was-there-when-the-dc-8-went-supersonic-27846699/ a DC-8] were commercial aircraft that did achieve supersonic flight.