1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 138 The Golden Age of Physics!

Li Qiwei, who was far away in England, didn't know that the future father of physics in Japan had already regarded him as his biggest rival.

But even if he knew, he would just smile disdainfully.

In this life, he will suppress Fuso for a hundred years!

Whether in the field of science or in other aspects, he wants to make Fuso kneel at the feet of China forever.

However, now, whether it is Fuso, the Qing Dynasty, or the whole of Asia, they all belong to the bottom of the world.

If Africa is a desert of humanity and America is a desert of history, then Asia is a desert of science.

Only Europe is the mainstream of the world.

In the early 20th century, whether other countries recognized it or not.

At this time, Europe must have been the absolute center of science and culture.

Whether it is physics, chemistry, biology, or art, philosophy, or literature, without exception, they are all leaders.

Even the United States is now just a rising star, far from being as domineering and arrogant as it will be in a few decades.

There is an example that illustrates this situation well.

The winners of the 1st to 21st Nobel Prize in Physics are basically from the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands.

There was only one American among them, and that was Michelson.

This is also why he is very optimistic about Millikan, because physics talents are so rare.

Millikan lived up to Michelson's expectations and won the 22nd Nobel Prize in Physics.

Since Ridgway emerged in 1900, physics has undergone tremendous changes in just two years.

The three pillars of physics were broken, and physicists began to call it classical physics.

The publication of quantum theory is the dividing point, and subsequent physics is called modern physics.

The research content of modern physics is more profound, closer to the essence, and has a wider impact.

Quantum theory, special theory of relativity, atomic structure, atomic radiation spectrum, radioactivity.
Any achievement or theory is challenging the limits of countless geniuses.

Never before has physics been faced with so many new problems, so many profound changes and so many unexpected developments.

Space, time, matter, and thought, physics is constantly changing people's concepts.

Some physicists even shouted: The golden age of physics has come!

Everyone knows that there is a protagonist in this great event.

He is as dazzling as the sun, stretching across the sky of physics, making it impossible for people to even think of approaching him.

In the Cavendish Laboratory, Thomson, Ridgway and Wilson were discussing something.

Thomson smiled and said, “I went to the regular meeting of the Royal Society a few days ago and found something very interesting.”

"Those are the older generation of physicists. They seem to be living a second life now, and they are all full of energy."

"People keep asking me, Bruce, how did you train yourself?"

"When they returned to their own schools, they also wanted to follow this model and mass-produce physics geniuses."

Li Qiwei felt very embarrassed by this and didn't know how to respond.

Wilson was outspoken and laughed: "If geniuses can be cultivated, where can there be ordinary people in this world?"

"I think they should invite Bruce to give a lecture and share some experience in physics learning. This would be more reliable."

Thompson looked at his most ordinary student and said with a smile: "Have you become addicted to giving speeches recently?"

"I see you're rarely in the lab."

Wilson immediately stopped attacking, like a mouse encountering a cat.

Li Qiwei could only hold back his laughter.

Wilson has indeed been drifting during this period.

There is no way, Lao Wei is suppressed too much.

He is currently the weakest person in the entire Thomson research group and can only act like a big brother in front of Richardson and others.

Now that he has finally become someone else's favorite, he naturally cannot resist the temptation and goes out to communicate frequently.

However, Wilson also knew that Thompson was joking with him and was not really angry.

Because only by communicating more can we grow faster.

The more people use Wilson's cloud chamber, the more perfect its functions can be debugged, which is actually a good thing for him.

Then, Thomson turned his eyes to Li Qiwei, feeling filled with emotion.

I never expected that an unintentional action of mine would have such a profound impact on the physics community.

Thomson had also heard rumors about the Great Physical Age.

Although that was just a joke by some people, it also vividly expressed the current situation in physics.

Constantly improving and innovating.

If you don’t study for a year, you may not be able to keep up with the latest theoretical developments.

Isn’t this what is called the great world?
Once in a hundred years.

When Thomson was young, he was also considered a genius by others and was extremely dazzling.

However, now, in this upcoming era of physics, he actually had the illusion of being abandoned.

As the director of the Cavendish Laboratory, he began to become unconfident.

The source of everything was the calm and composed young man in front of him.

The other party is like the darling of the times, destined to change the world.

With his own efforts, he solved two dark clouds in physics.

It allows all physicists to see a wider sky, which is vast, brilliant and mysterious.

And now, the protagonist of this great world is about to graduate. "Bruce, have you decided on the time for your doctoral defense?"

"Your planetary model, as a doctoral thesis, will undoubtedly meet graduation standards."

"My word is my bond. Since the results are good enough, I will allow you to graduate."

"I think Mr. Cardwell will agree with my decision."

Wilson showed an expression of admiration. A 22-year-old PhD in physics, how enviable and jealous.

Although Bruce is not necessarily the youngest doctor, he is definitely the most talented doctor and the one with the most achievements.

If an ordinary person had his achievements, he would have graduated with a PhD a hundred times.

He is even worthy of ten professor titles.

And such a physics legend was born under my own eyes.

Wilson sometimes thinks that his name will definitely appear in future history books of physics.

Because he once posed a difficult problem to Li Qiwei, who else could have such an honor?

Li Qiwei heard this, thought about it, and then said: "I plan to set it on January 1th."

“I still have some things to add to my doctoral dissertation.”

Thomson nodded. January 1th was exactly the beginning of the school year next year.

Li Qiwei also carefully considered the decision to choose this time.

On the one hand, his doctoral thesis does need some polishing.

Moreover, a doctoral degree cannot be compared with an undergraduate degree. Both the process and the level of professionalism are the most rigorous.

Therefore, Li Qiwei did not want to rush into it and leave regrets in his academic career.

On the other hand, He Yujie and other two had their graduation date scheduled for December 12st.

Cambridge University has holidays from mid-December to mid-January.

Li Qiwei took this opportunity to plan and arrange the follow-up matters.

Thomson asked again: "Bruce, what are your plans after graduation? Have you thought about it?"

"I think you should continue to pursue academic studies and not think about romantic relationships too early."

Li Qiwei was speechless for a moment. He thought of a rumor about Thomson.

Most people have a very good opinion of Thomson: he is amiable and not at all stuffy.

But he has one biggest problem, which is that he likes to persuade people to marry late.

Thomson himself got married at the age of 34 in order not to delay his physics research. In the end, he could not delay any longer and had to get married.

He also often advised Rutherford not to get married too early, otherwise it would affect the progress of the experiment and the loss would outweigh the gain.

So Rutherford got married at the age of 29, in 1900.

In this era, this is definitely an old age for marriage.

This made Rutherford's wife very dissatisfied with Thomson, and she often told Rutherford that your teacher is not a good person.

Now that Thompson knows about Wang Luyao's existence, he starts to PUA Li Qiwei again.

"Um, Professor, my initial plan is to return home and get married first."

“Then stay in the country for a few years and then return to the UK.”

Sure enough, when Thomson heard this, he frowned slightly, and then said earnestly: "Bruce, you are still so young, why are you in such a hurry to get married?"

"After getting married, there are a lot of trivial matters to deal with, and it is impossible to do research quietly."

"Your career is booming right now. If you stop, it will be easy for others to surpass you."

"And when you return to Qing, there won't even be a decent laboratory there. How can you continue to study your theory?"

Li Qiwei couldn't explain the reason. He could only say that the customs in the East and the West are different, and parents' orders cannot be disobeyed.

Thomson shook his head, feeling very sorry.

When the great era of physics was approaching, Li Qiwei chose to return to his country, which was a huge loss of opportunity.

However, he still made thoughtful arrangements for Li Qiwei and said, "How about this, when you come back, I will recommend you to be a professor at another university."

"Just like Rutherford, I hope you can establish your own school and bring glory to Cavendish."

This time Li Qiwei was really touched.

You know, after he returned to China, he basically stayed away from the orthodox physics academic circle.

This was a very unwise choice in Thomson's view.

Who would suddenly retire at the youngest age?
Fortunately, Thomson felt relieved because he knew that Ridgway would return to England in a few years.

By then, with Li Qiwei's achievements and his recommendation, I'm sure any university will be vying for him.

Wilson also expressed his reluctance to see Li Qiwei leave.

However, he soon felt relieved.

Because he and Thomson both believed that Ridgway would definitely shine in the field of physics in the future.

The Qing Dynasty could not attract such a physics genius.

Sooner or later, Li Qiwei will return to the embrace of civilization and continue his academic research in the UK.

This is of course the consensus of all Europeans in this era.

So Thomson never understood why Ridgeway was unwilling to change his nationality.

As long as the other party agrees, he is even confident that he can make Ridgeway a fellow of the Royal Society of London next year.

However, they will never know how ambitious Li Qiwei is.

Thanks to the book friend [2018791] for the reward


(End of this chapter)