1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 113: The reactions of the physics masters
After Ridgway and Einstein published the theory of relativity, the physics world has never been at peace again.

Unlike the original quantum theory, it is an exploration of existing physics and has little impact on classical theory.

However, the theory of relativity directly challenged the authority of Newton's classical mechanics.

Once we admit that the theory of relativity is correct, it means that Newtonian mechanics is wrong.

But the real top bosses can understand that relativity and Newtonian mechanics are actually two theories.

Under real low-speed conditions, Newton's three laws of mechanics based on experience are indeed correct.

Many of its results are predictable and falsifiable, making it a very mature and sophisticated theory.

In this sense, relativity is more like an extension of Newtonian mechanics.

When moving at high speeds, relativistic effects need to be considered.

But at low speeds, Newtonian mechanics can perfectly predict the motion of objects.

There is no direct conflict between the two.

But no matter what, the results of relativity prove that Newtonian mechanics is not perfect and it has limitations.

This is the core idea of ​​the opponents.

But soon, physics giants discovered that relativity also has limitations.

That is, it must be valid in an inertial reference frame.

As long as there is acceleration, the theory is incompatible.

Newton's law of universal gravitation happens to include the acceleration caused by gravity.

In other words, if gravity is taken into account, the theory of relativity will not work.

This is why many bigwigs think that the theory of relativity is wrong.

An imperfect theory proves that Newtonian mechanics is wrong. Is it possible that it is the theory that is wrong, not Newton?

Most people would think it is the former reason without thinking.

Relativity is wrong!
At the University of Berlin in Germany, Planck, wearing glasses, is carefully reading a paper on the theory of relativity.

Thanks to his profound mathematical knowledge, the derivation of the theory of relativity is very clear to him.

He was sure that there was absolutely no problem with the entire mathematical derivation formula.

As long as the two axioms are correct, the final conclusion should also be correct.

Two axioms, one is the principle of special relativity, and the other is the principle of the constancy of the speed of light.

It can be said that the core of relativity is the constancy of the speed of light.

It is because of this special ghostly factor that such bizarre results are caused.

Planck still believed in his point of view and believed that this might be a mathematical coincidence rather than a physical fact.

After all, no one can accelerate objects to the speed of relativity to verify this theory.

If this paper had been published by Einstein alone, Planck would have strongly supported it.

Even if he disagrees, he will allow different viewpoints to be expressed so that everyone can study and criticize together.

Young people have many ideas and always want to make big news to show their presence. This is understandable.

No one has stipulated that the theories in a paper must be correct.

Wasn’t the phlogiston theory in the field of chemistry eventually proven to be wrong?

Physics is constantly improving in this spiral progress.

But now, Bruce Lee is one of the first authors.

This gave Planck a headache.

He knew that although his most proud student was modest and polite, he always had the final say in physics.

Since he is the first author, it means that the other party agrees with this conclusion.

This is amazing.

Bruce Lee is now the winner of the first Nobel Prize in Physics, and he personally represents the authority of physics.

Therefore, when dealing with the theory of relativity, we cannot simply treat it as a toy for young people, but must study it seriously and in depth.

Even if they wanted to refute Bruce Lee, they had to provide sufficient evidence.

Lorentz chatting with Zeeman at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

Zeeman had once worked as an experimental assistant for Lorentz and therefore had great respect for him.

He was a professor at the University of Amsterdam and was now invited by Lorenz to give lectures at Leiden University.

"Mr. Lorentz, are you saying that the core transformation used by Bruce Lee in the theory of relativity is the same as what you imagined before?"

Lorenz smiled bitterly: "Well, I just calculated the results in my mind at that time, and didn't write them down formally on paper."

"But my core philosophy is completely different from Bruce Lee's."

"I believe that there is a medium called ether, and that ether itself will shrink, within the framework of the absolute view of space and time."

"But he actually directly imagined that space was contracting."

"Bruce Lee is just like before. He looks down on everything in physics and has no authority in his eyes."

Zeeman heard this and said, "Sir, but relativity also has its limitations. I don't think Bruce Lee will have the last laugh this time."

Lorenz remained silent.

The three giants of radiology at the University of Paris, France, are chatting over coffee.

Mr. Curie lamented: "I suddenly realized that I am old and can't keep up with the times."

"Young people today are so unorthodox that even Newton is about to be proven wrong."

"A 23-year-old Einstein and a 22-year-old Bruce, are these two going to overturn physics?"

"I feel like this is a very promising era for physics, but I'm still stuck fiddling with stones. I feel really bad about that."

Becquerel took a leisurely puff of his cigarette and jokingly said, "Curie, you think too much. Don't underestimate yourself."

"Perhaps in the future, radiology will conduct more in-depth research and it may not be impossible to change the world." "Also, the theory of relativity has obvious flaws. I wonder how Bruce will respond to everyone's doubts."

If Li Qiwei were present, he would definitely give Becquerel a thumbs up, because his research on radioactivity led to the subsequent discovery of neutrons, nuclear fission and other phenomena.

In a sense, it has indeed profoundly changed the world pattern.

At the University of Chicago, Michelson and Millikan sat opposite each other.

As a big name in the field of physics, Michelson is the chairman of the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago and is now the president of the American Physical Society.

It is no exaggeration to say that he himself is the leader of the American physics community.

However, the gap between the United States and Britain, France and Germany in physics is still too large.

Therefore, Michelson was very concerned about the training of younger generations, and Millikan was his focus.

The other party became famous because he used experiments to prove the theory of photoelectric effect and could be called a physicist.

"Millikan, what do you think of the theory of relativity jointly published by Bruce and Einstein?"

Millikan thought for a while and said, "I once heard Einstein give a report at the Young Scholars Exchange Conference in Brussels."

“He’s a very imaginative and insightful young man.”

"I guess that's why Bruce wants to be friends with him."

"At the meeting, Bruce proposed the LQW transformation, but it had no actual physical meaning. It was added by Einstein at the end."

"From this point of view, I think Einstein is a genius no less than Bruce."

"I personally believe that the theories of these two super geniuses in the field of physics must be of research significance."

"But I can't seem to disprove it through experiments."

"Because it is currently impossible to accelerate an object to a speed close to the speed of light. Even 1% of the speed of light is impossible."

"So I was curious about how Bruce was going to prove that his theory of relativity was correct."

Michelson nodded with satisfaction. Millikan did not follow the crowd in opposing the theory of relativity, but had his own thoughts.

He has even considered verifying it through experiments.

If we were to ask who in the world today has the deepest understanding of the theory of relativity, it would be none other than Michelson.

Because the theory of relativity solved the problem of the first dark cloud, and the principles used were also the results of his own experiments.

"Speed ​​of light, why does a magical being like you exist?" Michelson muttered to himself.

At McGill University in Canada, Rutherford sat alone in his office with the latest issue of Nature on his desk.

He said to himself, "Bruce, Bruce, it's been such a long time since we last met, and you've made such big news again."

“Is your inspiration endless?”

"All my life, I, Rutherford, have claimed to be no less than anyone, but the only person I admire is you."

"Whether the theory of relativity is right or wrong in the end, you are a warrior who dares to challenge authority."

"I can't wait to take part in the debate of the century."

Finally, Rutherford raised his head and looked across the ocean.

London, Lord Kelvin smiled with satisfaction after reading the theory of relativity with difficulty.

Bruce Lee finally fulfilled his promise. He used two completely different theories to solve the two dark cloud problems.

Although it seemed even more incredible this time, relativity was opposed by almost all physicists.

But Lord Kelvin felt a little excited in his heart. He fantasized that maybe the theory of relativity was really correct.

The physics of this era has completely surpassed Lord Kelvin's imagination.

It starts to become bizarre and strange, not in line with people's daily intuition.

When he was young, any physical discovery would eventually be confirmed by experiments.

However, the theory of relativity is so profound that it cannot even be falsified.

It is a beautiful and wonderful physical theory that is completely imagined by the human brain.

Its genius is no less than that of Maxwell's equations.

Kelvin is already looking forward to the next physics event.

At this moment, physicists all over the world are paying attention to the progress of relativity.

Whether it is Li Qiwei’s friends or people who have confronted him, they all want to see how he will convince everyone.

Either Bruce Lee becomes a god in one battle, or he is ruined.

In real history, Einstein did cause a huge sensation after he published the theory of relativity in 1905.

But soon, the theory fell into obscurity.

Because physicists can't tell whether it's right or wrong.

Therefore, even the Swedish Nobel Prize Committee in Physics did not dare to award the prize to Narrow Phase for fear of making a fool of itself.

However, in this life, there is the variable of Li Qiwei.

He wants to call on the world's top physicists to sit down together and discuss the theory of relativity.

This undoubtedly brought the fame of the theory of relativity to its peak.

Along with him, Einstein also jumped from an unknown young man to become the hottest figure in the field of physics at that time.

As for Li Qiwei, he was in seclusion, thinking hard about how to deal with the upcoming discussion of the century.

Twin paradox?
Minkowski geometry?

Mass-energy equation?

Riemannian geometry?

General relativity?
He scribbled on paper, hoping to find the most reasonable solution.

(End of this chapter)