1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 144 Lecture ends, travels around the world, and says goodbye to the boss
After the young Bohr made the bold statement and challenged Ridgway, the atmosphere in the venue reached its climax.

Many people gave Bohr a thumbs up and admired his courage.

When we learned that he would be enrolled at the University of Copenhagen next year, everyone became even more excited and at the same time had a hint of anticipation.

If Bohr could really overthrow Ridgway, it would undoubtedly be a great honor for the University of Copenhagen.

Even the Danish physics community will become famous in one fell swoop.

Although it is said that science knows no national boundaries, scientists are human beings after all, and as human beings they have patriotic feelings.

Everyone hopes that his country will be the best, and that after learning something, he will serve the country.

Next, in a heated atmosphere, everyone bombarded Li Qiwei with questions.

Even many teachers couldn't get a word in and couldn't compete with these crazy young people.

Li Qiwei simply let go of his reserved and low-key attitude and accepted everyone who came to him. In the end, even problems such as mathematics and chemistry arose.

I thought I would be able to stump this physics genius, but I didn't expect that his chemistry level would be able to surpass everyone here.

The two chemistry professors present said frankly that Li Qiwei's knowledge of chemistry might be better than theirs.

He has very unique insights into chemical problems and may be able to improve the existing structural system.

Of course, most people cannot feel the mystery behind this.

But I was still shocked by Li Qiwei's talent.

It’s fine that physics is awesome, but now even chemistry is at an inhuman level of understanding, which is terrifying.

Li Qiwei's erudition and versatility were fully demonstrated.

Many students even call him a scientific genius.

Finally, Oster gave a summary and thank-you speech, and invited Li Qiwei to give a lecture next time.

The lecture on atomic structure at the University of Copenhagen ended perfectly with everyone reluctant to leave.

Countless young people in the Danish scientific community have witnessed Li Qiwei's unparalleled charisma.

His presence is deeply engraved in everyone's soul.

He truly deserves the title of the greatest genius in physics.

Young, smart, confident, easy-going, defends women and encourages the younger generation.

You can find almost all the advantages in him, he seems like a perfect person.

He doesn't have the paranoia and eccentricity of a genius, but is instead sociable and humorous, making people unable to help but feel close to him.

At the same time, the name Bohr was pushed to the forefront and his deeds were talked about by everyone.

Back then, Bruce openly challenged Lord Kelvin, and now his juniors are challenging Bruce.

Heaven's way is so easy to reincarnate, who will God spare?

This incident immediately became a good story in the physics community.

Knowledge advances by challenging authority.

Before leaving the University of Copenhagen, Ridgway had another private chat with Bohr.

He told Bohr to study hard at university, at least get a doctorate, and then go to the UK for further studies.

Currently, the UK is the center of physics and there are many knowledgeable physicists there.

Bohr was deeply moved by his encouragement and said that he would never let Ridgway down.

So, with the gratitude and retention of Oster and Christine, Li Qiwei resolutely left Denmark and embarked on a trip around Europe.

There are only him and Wang Luyao on this trip, so the journey is destined to be full of charm and color.

On December 1902, 12, Ridgway arrived in Berlin, Germany.

He took Wang Luyao to buy gifts and visited Professor Planck, who treated them warmly.

Planck's wife, Melke, prepared a delicious dinner for them and talked to Wang Luyao. She liked this little oriental girl very much.

"Bruce, after you return home, please don't lose contact with me. We can communicate through letters frequently."

"Don't worry, professor. I won't fall behind in my research in the country."

"Anyway, my general theory of relativity doesn't require any equipment. My brain is enough."

Planck laughed. "Bruce, I suspect you came up with the theory of relativity because you were afraid of doing experiments."

"By the way, didn't you say you wanted to study mathematics? Do you need me to introduce you to some famous mathematicians?"

Li Qiwei said happily: "I couldn't ask for more."

So, under Planck's guidance, Ridgway met Hilbert, a professor of mathematics at the University of Göttingen in Germany.

Coincidentally, Ridgway also met Grossman, who was currently pursuing a doctorate under Hilbert.

When good brothers meet, it is natural to exchange pleasantries.

When Grossman learned that Li Qiwei was going back to his country, he was very reluctant to let him go and asked Li Qiwei to write to him often.

I would also like to add: If you have any questions about math, feel free to contact me.

Grossman is now very confident and feels that he is extremely good at mathematics.

Li Qiwei smiled and agreed to his request, saying that he would ask for advice often.

Hilbert, 40 years old this year, has a pair of bright and deep eyes.

他在1900年8月8日，于巴黎第二届国际数学大会上，提出了20世纪数学家应该努力解决的23个数学问题。

These 23 problems are collectively known as Hilbert's problems. They are considered the pinnacle of 20th century mathematics and have had a profound impact on the world.

This is similar to Lord Kelvin's physics lectures.

Li Qiwei has always held the idea that mathematics masters are the men behind all natural sciences.

The reason why physicists are more famous than mathematicians is that advanced mathematics is beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

No matter how brilliant a mathematician is, it is impossible for him to use simple language to make ordinary people understand what he is studying.

Li Qiwei benefited a lot from communicating with Hilbert.

This was the first time he felt inferior to people of this generation, as their mathematical skills were too profound.

No wonder he is called the “uncrowned king of mathematics” and the “genius among geniuses”.

But at the same time, Hilbert was no less shocked by Li Qiwei.

This first genius in physics gave him the feeling of a vast ocean, deep and bottomless.

The other party was well aware of the mathematical knowledge that he was proud of. Although he was not particularly proficient, it was still terrifying enough.

Therefore, the two sides communicated for more than an hour in a friendly atmosphere, feeling that they had met too late.

After meeting Hilbert, Ridgway visited Roentgen and others before heading to his next stop. On December 1902, 12, Ridgway arrived in Zurich, Switzerland.

He and Einstein chatted freely in the "Metropolitan" cafe, talking about everything from academics to life.

This is where he first came to Switzerland and chatted with Einstein.

Even the Zurich School was established at that time.

However, since the end of the relativity seminar, the two of them decided to postpone the use of this title.

After all, the current special theory of relativity is not yet qualified to become a school of thought.

Einstein looked at Ridgway eagerly and asked, "Bruce, are you sure you can create the theory of general relativity within ten years?"

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "After I returned to China, I mainly devoted myself to studying general relativity. I don't think there will be any big problems."

Einstein was moved by his confidence. He extended his hand and said, "Bruce, I wish you great success and a return of the king!"

Li Qiwei said firmly: "Definitely!"

"Einstein, the theory of relativity will have a place in the future of physics."

After saying goodbye to Einstein, Li Qiwei took Wang Luyao to the ski resort in Switzerland.

In order to help Wang Luyao learn to ski, Li Qiwei took great pains to teach him step by step, and even fell several times himself.

Wang Luyao finally learned how to ski and danced with joy.

In order to reward Li Qiwei, she agreed to play Li Qiwei's little game.

Identity game.

Li Qiwei explained the rules of the game mischievously:

He is: the prince;
Wang Luyao wants to turn him into: Muzi;
Then he became: Jie Zi;
In the end, Li Qiwei became: the prince.

After a round of games, the air was filled with a fresh smell.

On December 1902, 12, Ridgway arrived in Paris, France.

He and Wang Luyao spent Christmas together at Madame Curie's home.

Looking at Madame Curie happily chatting with Wang Luyao, Li Qiwei suddenly felt a little sad.

If history had not changed, Mr. Curie would have unfortunately died in a carriage accident in 1906.

After losing her husband, Madame Curie was soon embroiled in scandal.

The male protagonist is Curie's doctoral student, Lang Zhiwan.

During those difficult years, the other party took care of Madame Curie in every possible way and gave her the courage to live.

Li Qiwei has no prejudice against this.

If you look deeper, you will find that famous people in history have all kinds of scandals that ordinary people find unimaginable.

Even Einstein was the same.

No one is perfect, and scientists are also human beings and should not be deified.

In other words, you can deify a scientist’s achievements, but you cannot deify his character.

Achievements may be high or low, but all people are equal. In this world, saints are ultimately a minority.

Later, through the introduction of Madame Curie, Ridgwell met her good friend, French mathematician Poincaré.

At the age of 48, Poincare already possesses the demeanor of a master.

He is recognized as a leading mathematician of the late 19th and early th centuries.

The last person to have a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics and its applications.

He even has unique insights into the theory of relativity.

This fully demonstrates that a great mathematician can work in any field as long as he or she is willing.

The Poincare conjecture he left behind had a profound impact on mathematics in later generations.

As a junior, Ridgwell had a friendly conversation with Poincare, and both sides were shocked by each other's knowledge.

Poincare was deeply moved by Ridgeway's youth. He thought of Galois, who was also extremely brilliant when he was young.

Poincare also put forward his own views on the future of general relativity, for which Li Qiwei quickly thanked him.

With great harvest, Li Qiwei bid farewell to everyone.

On December 1902, 12, Ridgway arrived in Brussels, Belgium.

This city carries too many beautiful memories for him.

In the future he may leave more legends here.

He received the highest level of hospitality at Solvay.

When he learned that he was going to return to his country, Solvay sighed to the sky, as if he had lost a close friend.

Li Qiwei didn't know what to say. He was just returning home, not going to die.

Little did he know that Solvay had already regarded him as a lucky star, and without him, perhaps everything would change.

On December 1902, 12, Ridgway arrived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

After meeting Lorenz, Ridgway apologized for not attending his Nobel Prize ceremony.

Lorenz smiled indifferently. He knew that Li Qiwei was about to leave Europe and had a lot of things to deal with, so he didn't have time to go.

Li Qiwei joked: "Professor, next time you win the Nobel Prize, I will definitely go to congratulate you."

Lorenz laughed and said, "Bruce, I think I should be the one saying this to you."

"I think it's a foregone conclusion that you'll win the Nobel Prize again."

"When the time comes, you have to treat me to a good meal again."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "If I can win the Nobel Prize for the second time, I will invite you ten times without any problem."

Lorentz added: "Bruce, you are the most gifted physics person I have ever met."

"I hope you will not forget to continue studying physics after you return to your country. I am waiting for your return."

Li Qiwei said solemnly: "I will, professor."

After saying goodbye to Lorenz, Ridgway returned to his home in Cambridge on the evening of December 12st.

At this point, this journey and farewell before returning home officially ended.

Next, he will prepare for his doctoral dissertation defense.

(End of this chapter)