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How can one prove that money is the only motivation?

This is more of an opinion, I don't think it can be proven.  The reason is, for many people money is the only motivation to go to work.  This is really a sad situation and people in this situation should continue working for other employment.  

 Since this is an opinion, it can't be proven.

Money is not the only motivation for work, because there are people who spend countless hours working in fields like teachers, who are not paid nearly what they are worth.  When you choose a profession, the first criteria for the selection is that one must love what they do, or else, you will be unhappy.

Money has a part in the decision, but it is not the only motivation.  Another factor is location, how long a commute are you willing to put up with twice a day?  If your answer is that you want to work closer to home, then perhaps money cannot be the initial motivator for the decision.

Some people want to work in certain professions and will accept less money in order to gain entry into a certain field.

Money as the only motivation can be proven only in the extreme circumstances where individuals will do anything for money, such as commit crimes, willingly injure people by engaging in immoral activities, or knowingly breaking the law.

I think that this only holds true if you are considering suvival.  I would say that my job is motivated by money in that I wouldn't do it for free at this point in my life.  One, because I can't afford to, and two, because money is at least giving me a sense that my efforts are seen as worthwhile and rewarded.  However, I think that once the basics of survival are considered, money becomes less important.  I wouldn't do a different job, just because it paid more money...I also consider work hours, vacation, how much I feel I give and add to people's lives by doing the job and how the job fits into my worldview.  

In reply to #1:

 Studies continue to show that salary is not the #1 motivation for work and that employees are motivated (and stay with their companies) for  the following reasons:

1. Their work and contributions are recognied and  valued.  They feel appreciated and part of a community.
2. They receive on-going feedback from their manager/supervisor, thus they feel "in" on things. This creates trust in the workplace.
3.  There are on-going opportunties for learning and professional development

Salary ranks #4. 

 Sources:

1. The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner
2. 1001 Rewards and Recognition, Dr. Bob Nelson
3. Society for Organizational Learning, Peter Senge 

Any proof that money is the only motivation at work, has to be a flawed proof, because money is not the only motivation at work.

Sure people are motivated by money and other things that Morey can buy, but we cannot obtain full support and motivation of employees by offering money alone. Even other worldly inducements like a fancy job title or a big office is not enough to get the best out of people.

All these types of motivators are external to the job - something they receive in exchange for their time and effort. There are other motivators intrinsic to the job. People do a job well when they enjoy the process of doing the job.People also derive satisfaction from the feeling of having done a job well. We can motivate people best when we combine monetary rewards with appropriate organization system and culture, including supervisory behavior that enables people to enjoy their work and are able to see the worth of the results they produce.

Money is a motivating factor.

This I say depending on the following factors:

1. Individual Age

2. Individual Interest and objectives

3. Individual passion

Different people have different thinking. I as a 26 year old fellow having been brought up in an average family, am out there looking for employment definately money will have to be my motivator as long as I have my papers. If an employment cant meet my needs and yet I am employable then the next exit shall be my refuge