1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 224 Locking down American physics research for ten years
After Li Qiwei finished his speech, he answered questions from many physics experts present one by one.

Just when he thought it was about to end, Michelson, who had been silent, suddenly gestured to ask a question.

Michelson was filled with emotion in his seat in the audience.

In the past hour or two, he had been shocked more times than in his entire life.

As physicists from America, he and Millikan were shocked to see that the development of physics in Europe had reached such a level.

It is no exaggeration to say that Michelson believed that European physics was at least twenty years ahead of the United States at that time.

This is a terrifying gap.

If there is no external force, this gap will continue to exist and even grow larger over time.

This was the case with China in history. After the founding of the Republic of China, the development of physics was delayed for various reasons and was not caught up until later generations.

The United States took advantage of the two world wars to take away the world's top physicists.

This led to its rapid rise and improvement in national strength, and eventually it became the overlord.

This shows the importance of scientists to national development.

And physicists are scientists among scientists.

So, when Michelson saw Li Qiwei chatting and laughing with the big guys, he became a little restless.

If this situation continues, the future of physics in the United States will be worrying.

In the future, when American students graduate from college and want to continue their studies, the first place they think of is definitely Europe.

This will result in a large outflow of talent.

Of course, this kind of thing is definitely not appropriate to bring up at a meeting.

This is one of the world's highest-end academic conferences in physics, not a meeting to discuss national development.

So Michelson said, “Bruce, I’m actually more interested in relativity than quantum theory.”

Li Qiwei smiled and nodded at him.

One of the two dark clouds in classical physics was caused by the other party, so of course he would study the theory of relativity.

Michelson pondered Ridgway's paper over and over again, trying to accept that incredible worldview.

He found that if you acknowledge Ridgway's relative view of space and time from the beginning.

In fact, the special theory of relativity is very easy to understand, and the physics and mathematics used in it are not complicated at all.

Even rigorously trained undergraduates can roughly understand it as long as they study it carefully.

Now, seven years have passed since the publication of the special theory of relativity, and many universities have made it a compulsory course for graduate students.

Some well-known universities, such as Cambridge University and Oxford University, have even directly included it as an undergraduate course.

"Bruce, according to your analysis, relativity is a theory applicable to macroscopic physics."

"It studies objects like light that move at high speeds."

"So is there a possibility that the theory of relativity also applies to the atomic field?"

"For example, the speed of electrons orbiting the nucleus. According to theoretical calculations, this speed will already produce obvious relativistic effects."

“Recent experiments have also proven this.”

"So do you think it is valuable to apply the theory of relativity to the study of atomic structure?"

“Or will this give birth to a whole new field of research?”

After hearing this, everyone present was amazed.

Michelson's idea was very creative.

Although the theory of relativity is a theory that studies macroscopic physical phenomena, no one has ever stipulated that it cannot be applied to microscopic physics.

Even Li Qiwei, the creator of the theory, has never said this publicly.

And now, Li Qiwei himself was also shocked. It turned out that one should not underestimate any big shot of this era.

Although they did not have the experience of later generations, their physical intuition was not bad at all.

If Li Qiwei did not have the blessing of history, he would definitely not be able to compete with these big guys.

Michelson asked this question out of his own selfish motives.

He wanted to blaze a trail for the American physics community.

Today, the world's top physics research centers all have their own main areas of expertise.

For example, Cavendish's research on cathode rays and the paths of microscopic particles.

Radioactivity and atomic structure research at the University of Manchester.

Spectroscopy and thermodynamics research in Germany.

and many more.

But what about the United States? Is there anything the United States is focused on?
Now the development of physics in the United States depends entirely on him and Millikan.

Fortunately, he won a Nobel Prize.

Otherwise, Michelson suspected that the United States might not be invited to attend future meetings of the international physics community.

This was something he could not accept no matter what.

He was eager to make a name for himself in the American physics community.

But now he himself is an experimentalist, and Millikan is also an experimentalist.

To put it bluntly, the two of them are just eating the leftovers of European physics.

So Michelson had an idea.

Since no one has ever applied relativity to atoms, would this be a good direction to go?

But he was not sure, so he wanted Li Qiwei to give some feasible suggestions.

The finalization of the general direction of this physical research was related to the development and destiny of a country, so Michelson did not dare to be careless.

Hence the above question.

Li Qiwei was very smart and he could guess most of what Michelson was thinking by looking at his expression.

Then he noticed.

This is a perfect opportunity to weaken American science.

If he gives a wrong direction, it will delay the rise of the United States.

But Li Qiwei suddenly felt a little shaken.

Wouldn't that be too hurtful to Michelson?

At this moment, the blackened villain in his mind suddenly jumped up.

"Hurt your mother's head!"

Li Qiwei woke up immediately.

This is a war that concerns the fate of the country. How can personal feelings be mixed in it?

At worst, I can give Michelson a place in Borneo in the future.

After figuring this out, Li Qiwei said with a smile:

"Excellent idea, Professor Michelson."

"Although I think quantum theory will be the best theory to explain the behavior of atoms."

"But physics research has never been definitive."

"Atoms can easily achieve extremely high speeds because of their tiny structure."

"Perhaps that's where the theory of relativity comes in handy."

"Now that you mention it, I'll have to give my doctoral students a few such topics."

Everyone smiled knowingly.

In fact, Li Qiwei did not fool Michelson, at least he did not lie.

Because after the old quantum theory was established, atomic research did require relativity.

For example, electron spin phenomenon and so on.

All of these require consideration of relativistic effects.

But this requires a prerequisite.

That is, only after the old quantum theory has been studied to a certain extent can the theory of relativity have a chance to come into play.

Otherwise, it would be like a great guy starting to study quantum mechanics before Newtonian mechanics came out.

No matter how talented he is, he will end up in failure.

So the path that Ridgway gave Michelson was a correct but advanced path.

They might be able to come up with something, but it would certainly be of no practical significance.

Because physics is gradual.

Thinking of this, Li Qiwei suddenly felt a sense of accomplishment.

He had grown to this point without realizing it.

Just a few words can lock down a country's physics research.

According to his assumption, Michelson would be trapped for at least 10 years.

Li Qiwei felt like a sophon in some science fiction novel of later generations.

He single-handedly locked down basic physics research on the Earth.

He now has a similar method to the three-pointer. Let's practice it on the United States first.

This is the weakest moment for the United States.

If it were to happen a few decades later, no matter how powerful Li Qiwei was, he would be powerless.

So, he must seize this opportunity.

Of course, the reason why he has such prestige is that he created the theory of relativity.

He is the source of theory and absolute authority.

What he said can arouse the deep thought and trust of countless people.

In the future, when he has greater authority and fame, he can guide physicists around the world in studying nuclear fusion.

Then he secretly studied nuclear fission alone.

In this scientific world, I am the only one!

That is the true meaning of turning one's hand to make clouds and turning it again to make rain.

However, there is still a long way to go.

Li Qiwei is cautious and he wants to take one solid step at a time.

At this moment, Millikan interrupted his reverie.

"Bruce, there are no outsiders here today. Can you tell us the truth? When will your general theory of relativity be published?"

"If you fail, then the special theory of relativity will have the fatal flaw of inertial reference frame."

"By then, I think Professor Michelson will not dare to delve into the application of special relativity to atoms."

"Because this theory probably has no future."

Millikan's joking tone caused laughter in the meeting room.

Obviously, although people are not very enthusiastic about studying relativity, they are very interested in this topic.

Li Qiwei smiled slightly. He certainly knew that the physics community currently had mixed opinions on the special theory of relativity.

Although many universities list it as a learning subject, it is to train students' research thinking.

There is currently no authoritative statement to prove the correctness of the special theory of relativity.

After all, there is the limitation of inertial reference frame.

Moreover, the special theory of relativity has been proposed as a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Physics more than once.

However, the academicians on the Nobel Prize Committee did not dare to award the prize easily and could only choose to drag it out.

If it is proved to be wrong in the end, then the Nobel Prize will be a laughing stock.

However, Li Qiwei didn't care.

Now the Nobel Prize has little effect on him.

Even if he won 10 Nobel Prizes in Physics, it wouldn't mean much.

Instead, it will give people a feeling of being a freak.

If a genius takes one step further, he becomes a monster. If he takes another ten steps, it would be unbelievable.

The medical scientists might be extremely excited and eager to try it out, so they took it for dissection.

Just like Einstein later, his brain was sliced ​​and studied.

"Millikan, are you eager to verify my theory?"

"You don't have a solution for the special theory of relativity, do you think there is a solution for the general theory of relativity?"

Li Qiwei's words made everyone laugh.

Even though they are not interested in the theory of relativity, that is because it is incomplete.

Once Ridgway could really perfect the theory of general relativity, it would prove once and for all that Newton's theory was wrong.

That would be a huge thing.

By then, the world of physics will be more than just about earthquakes.

It was a world-shaking event.

As long as Ridgway could publish the theory of general relativity and it was proven to be correct, his status would immediately be comparable to that of Newton.

Become the only great physicist of our time and dominate an era!
That would be something that would drive everyone crazy.

Therefore, everyone present wanted to know how far Li Qiwei had gone.

Whether the difficulties encountered can be overcome.

Einstein, in particular, looked at Li Qiwei with a pious and worshipful gaze.

He believes that miracles exist in the world!

The creator of the miracle is Li Qiwei!

Li Qiwei took in everyone's expressions. He smiled and said:

“I’m not sure about the exact time.”

"But it could be as slow as three years or as fast as one year."

“I will publish the theory of general relativity.”

boom!
Li Qiwei's calm words sounded like thunder in everyone's ears.

The people present had their heads buzzing with shock.

All the bigwigs were moved.

Although Li Qiwei did not specify the time, it is precisely because of this that it makes people feel scary.

This means he is completely sure!
That's what gets everyone excited.

Li Qiwei has never broken his promise since his debut.

He fulfilled all his promises.

At present, general relativity will be no exception.

Plank couldn't help but ask, "Bruce, are you really so sure?"

Planck was Li Qiwei's teacher, and the two had a relationship of both teacher and friend.

He had long regarded Li Qiwei as a close friend.

He cares deeply about Ridgway's reputation.

With the other party's achievements, even if there is no progress in the next few decades, he will still be the top physicist in the world.

In other words, there is no need for him, as an apprentice, to take risks and challenge such a difficult task.

During this period, Planck sometimes chatted with Poincare, Hilbert and others.

From them, Planck learned how difficult the mathematical problems that Ridgway was currently facing were.

There were some things in it that even Planck, who majored in mathematics in college, couldn't understand.

He couldn't imagine what kind of effort and sweat Li Qiwei had put in.

You have to know that at that time, the other party didn't even know the simple mathematics used in quantum theory.

But now, he wants to study the most advanced mathematics, how can Planck not worry.

Thompson also looked at Li Qiwei worriedly.

Although he cared more about Rutherford than Ridgway and Wilson.

But he had to admit that Ridgway was the most talented physicist he had ever met.

He himself is ashamed of himself.

Li Qiwei also revealed a little bit during a private chat.

I just said that the math part hasn't been figured out yet.

And now, is the other party finally about to overcome this hurdle?
Thompson was looking forward to it.

The more Ridgway accomplished, the happier Thomson became.

Because everyone knows that Thomson is Ridgway's mentor, and even more important than Planck.

After all, if it weren't for him, Li Qiwei might not have been able to embark on the path of physics research.

Einstein's face flushed and his hands trembled with excitement.

Perhaps no one present cared more about the publication of general relativity than he did.

It is a thirst for truth.

As one of the only two founders of the theory of relativity, his status would rise if the general theory of relativity became a great success.

Become a world-class physicist.

This was Einstein's dream.

As for Rutherford, Lorenz and others, they were envious and congratulated Li Qiwei at the same time.

They are likely to witness a golden age of physics.

Facing the mentor's concern and everyone's expectations, Li Qiwei smiled faintly and said:

"Everyone, let's wait and see."

I am sick and in so much pain, I am not sure whether there will be a second update, please understand

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(End of this chapter)