1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 118 The stars gather and everyone is paying attention!
On the morning of July 1902, 7, in the conference hall of the Metropolitan Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

This was the venue for the first Young Scholars Exchange Conference.

A more high-profile conference is now taking place.

The relativity seminar that physicists all over the world are looking forward to is about to begin.

At this time, the venue was crowded with people and the atmosphere was lively.

Big names in the scientific field were chatting casually.

This is a good opportunity for us to exchange academic ideas and enhance our friendship.

Li Qiwei asked Xu Qitai and Chris to help him deal with some trivial matters.

According to their statistics, there were more than 400 people participating in the meeting this time!
This is not a small amount.

The London Quantum Theory Conference two years ago only had about 200 people, including many students.

At last year's Swedish Nobel Prize ceremony, there were only about 250 physicists, most of whom were teachers and students from Sweden.

Moreover, among the 400 people this time, the vast majority are at least first-level physicists.

Don’t think that 400 people are too few.

In later generations, if an academic conference did not have thousands of participants, it would probably be embarrassed to promote it and would only be considered a small conference.

But in 1902, there were only about countries in the world with universities, and almost all of them were in Europe and the United States.

In this era, professor is definitely not an ordinary title, unlike the situation in later generations where it is widely used.

Professors at any university are extremely honorable.

At the beginning, Luo Fuyu was so scared when he saw Wilson, who was just a lecturer, let alone a professor.

According to conservative estimates, there are about 50 professors of physics in major scientific countries such as Britain, France, Germany and the United States.

As for those small countries, there may be only a dozen physics professors in the whole country.

By this calculation, there are estimated to be around 600 people in the world with the title of physics professor.

As for the students in the Department of Physics, the number is about ten times, about 6000.

That's equivalent to two-thirds of the world's physics professors attending the conference.

It can be seen from this that the unprecedented grand occasion of this relativity seminar has attracted much attention.

Although this is related to Li Qiwei's status and position at the time, it also shows the great impact that relativity has brought to physics.

According to Chris's preliminary statistics of the participants:
There are about 250 physicists, including 48 ordinary physicists and 21 senior physicists.

Others are students, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, and other bigwigs in the natural sciences.

Apart from the theory of relativity, many people want to see the style of the first person to win the Nobel Prize.

Don't underestimate the respect this era has for great scientists.

In real history, after Einstein published the theory of general relativity, he became world-famous instantly and was almost the number one in physics.

Once, the Queen of the Netherlands visited Leiden University. Upon learning that Einstein was a visiting professor at the university, she immediately expressed her desire to meet him.

This shows the influence of physicists.

Li Qiwei currently has one-fifth of the charm of the God of Love.

He arrived in Brussels with everyone the day before.

Last night he had a great chat with Einstein, Rutherford, Planck and others, as if they had not seen each other for a long time.

After arriving at the venue this morning, he was deeply moved by the familiar environment.

Xu Qitai boasted to He Yujie and Xia Yuanzhao next to him about his experience last time here, sounding very boastful.

He also said that the inspiration for his graduation thesis, "Research on Radioactivity," came from that trip.

Li Qiwei left the two of them and sat in the front row. He looked back at the packed house and said with a smile:

"I'm afraid all the physicists in the world have been invited this time."

“It’s really a gathering of stars, the stars are shining!”

Einstein, who was sitting next to him, also sighed, "Bruce, the last time I came here, I was just an ordinary doctoral student."

"Now I have to present my theory in front of so many physicists. Life is really changing."

"To be honest, I'm actually a little nervous right now."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Einstein, it's okay, relax."

"When you're on stage, just treat everyone below you as elementary school students, hahahaha."

Einstein smiled and said, "Bruce, I really envy your mentality, as if everything is under your control."

"You were also so calm and composed at the previous quantum conference, but in the end you gave a groundbreaking explanation of the photoelectric effect."

"Tell me honestly, have you prepared any secret weapons this time? You have to help me then."

Li Qiwei smiled but said nothing.

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion in the meeting hall. Li Qiwei looked carefully and found that it was Albert who came.

His status was undoubtedly the most distinguished on the field, and he immediately became the focus of the crowd.

Li Qiwei had heard of him from Solvay before, and now that he saw him in person, he couldn't help but feel curious.

Albert greeted everyone politely and then walked straight towards him.

He stretched out his right hand and said warmly, "Hello, Bruce, I have heard a lot about you."

Li Qiwei was too embarrassed to be so arrogant, so he stood up, stretched out his right hand, and shook hands, "Hello, Your Highness Albert, I am very happy to meet you too."

Albert took this opportunity to take a closer look at this prominent figure in the world of physics.

He had a great aura, different from all the Qing people he had met before, as if he had no worship of authority in his bones.

It can be seen from the other party's return gift just now that he does not have the kind of respect that others see, and his attitude and movements are not standard.

Albert remembered the words of his uncle the King, that these scientists needed to be given a royal mystique.

So he said, "I have something I want to talk to you about alone. You can come to me after the meeting." Li Qiwei wondered, did Solvay tell the other party that he wanted the uranium mine?
It doesn't feel like it.

Although the other party's tone sounded unpleasant, there was a sense of condescending command.

But Li Qiwei wanted to find the other party anyway, so he casually agreed, "Yeah."

After saying that, Albert turned and left, heading towards the VIP seats.

It turns out that senior government officials and members of the royal family have separate seats.

Li Qiwei shrugged his shoulders without any envy, saying that it was understandable. It was not his own money anyway, so he could just sit on a small bench.

Soon, under the "silence" of the host Lorenz, the venue gradually became quiet without a sound.

Those who can come here are all highly qualified talents, and there will be no noisy situation.

Lorenz was asked by Li Qiwei to be the host.

For such a high-end academic conference, the host must be a big shot himself.

As a senior physicist, Lorentz was one of the few big names present.

In order to repay Li Qiwei's invitation last time, he gladly agreed to be the host.

In real history, Lorentz was the most popular host in the international physics community.

He chaired many conferences, including the most famous Fifth Solvay Conference.

Because he is well-versed in humanities and geography, is proficient in many foreign languages ​​and is good at communication, he is very popular.

Most importantly, he was able to write succinctly and summarize the most complex debates.

Now, at the age of 49, he stood on the podium, looking at his colleagues below, his heart bursting with emotion, and he said with full energy:
"Hi everyone, my name is Hendrik Lorenz."

"Today is an extraordinary day, we will prove the truth of a great theory."

“I personally think that no matter what the outcome, this conference itself is of extraordinary significance to the physics community.”

"From then on, studying physics and proposing theories was no longer a matter of self-promotion, but rather everyone sat together and openly engaged in academic debate."

"Physics will surely develop at a faster pace under this model." After saying this, Lorentz paused for a moment.

At this time, thunderous applause broke out in the conference hall.

Everyone was aroused by these few short words and had endless expectations for this meeting.

Lorenz smiled slightly, and continued with a comfortable rhythm:
“Therefore, on behalf of all the participants, I would like to first thank the Belgian government for its strong support.”

“The streets of Brussels are very clean and beautiful, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.”

“Also, I would like to thank Mr. Solvay for his generous donation.”

"His passion for physics makes even a physicist like me ashamed."

"If I had this kind of focus and obsession, there would be no chance for Bruce to publish the theory of relativity."

Such humorous and high emotional intelligence words instantly caused laughter in the venue.

Only Lorenz and Li Qiwei have a good relationship, so they can make such a joke.

If anyone else were to play the role, this kind of comedic effect would not be achieved.

Lorenz entered his own field and became more and more adept at hosting. "Finally, let us warmly welcome His Highness Albert to give a speech."

"He will express congratulations and expectations for this meeting on behalf of the Belgian royal family."

Then, amid the applause of the crowd, Albert walked onto the stage gracefully and calmly.

Even scenes with nearly 10,000 people had been experienced by him, and he took it easy.

But the few hundred people in the audience put him under considerable pressure.

Because these people can be said to be the elites of the entire human race.

Almost everyone will not bow down to themselves and be subdued by power.

After all, Albert was still young at this time, and was far from being as experienced and calm as Leopold II.

So he calmed himself down and delivered his speech solemnly and simply.

It mainly conveyed the Belgian royal family and Leopold II's welcome to everyone present.

I hope this conference will promote the development of physics and play a better role in enhancing European civilization.

In short, the style is very high, from Belgium to Europe and then to the whole world.

It's almost like praising physicists to the sky.

From the expressions of the people in the audience and the size of their applause, we can tell that Albert’s speech was very successful.

"Okay, let's get into today's topic."

"Next, please invite Mr. Albert Einstein, one of the originators of the theory of relativity, to come to the stage to explain his theory."

"Don't look down on him just because he's young."

"Today's young people are more capable than each other."

As soon as he finished speaking, low laughter was heard in the venue, and the atmosphere at this moment finally reached a climax.

Everyone is looking forward to the final conclusion of the theory of relativity today.

Lorentz saw that Einstein was a little nervous, so he helped him to calm down.

He personally admires such young people very much and is willing to mentor them.

Li Qiwei also patted Einstein on the shoulder. He gave the opportunity to go on stage and speak to him in order to catch a glimpse of the god of love.

Under Ridgway's firm gaze and with Lorentz's kind help, Einstein took a deep breath.

He strode up to the podium with powerful steps and encouraged himself.

From today on, let the name of relativity resound throughout the world!

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow, so the update may be a little late.

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(End of this chapter)