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Who was the first American to win a Nobel Prize for measuring the speed of light?

  1. Albert Michelson

  2. Thomas Edison

  3. Richard Feynman

  4. Robert Millikan

The correct answer is: Albert Michelson

The first American to win a Nobel Prize for measuring the speed of light is Albert Michelson. Michelson’s work was significant because he was able to provide one of the most accurate measurements of the speed of light at that time, which contributed greatly to the field of physics. His meticulous experiments and innovative use of optical instruments, particularly the interferometer, allowed him to refine previous measurements and arrive at a precise value for the speed of light. Michelson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1907 for his achievements in precise optical instruments and the measurement of the speed of light, making him the first American to win a Nobel Prize in this category. This accomplishment established him as a key figure in the study of light, and his legacy continues in modern physics. The other individuals mentioned in the options are notable figures in their respective fields but did not focus on measuring the speed of light in the context that Michelson did. Thomas Edison is primarily known for his work in electrical inventions, Richard Feynman was famous for his contributions to quantum mechanics and particle physics, and Robert Millikan is recognized for his work on the electron and the photoelectric effect, not specifically for measuring the speed of light.