1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 274: A storm is brewing in the physics world! The first challenge to Bohr's theory!
Bohr's quantized atomic model was like a clarion call, blowing the prelude to the charge of modern physics.

The world's top physicists all felt the impending storm.

Physics is about to change completely!
Unlike the achievements of Laue, Bragg, Qian Wushi and others, the Bohr model is more important for physics.

It may even be the theoretical basis for other results.

Just like the physical discoveries of various electromagnetic phenomena are just derivative results of Maxwell's equations.

The Bohr model already had this potential.

As predicted at the first Bruce Conference, atomic research required a completely new set of physical theories.

Bruce predicted that quantum theory would become a suitable theory for atoms.

As it turned out, he was right again.

His beloved disciple Bohr creatively applied quantum concepts to electron orbits, thus solving the defects of the planetary model in one fell swoop.

Moreover, the Bohr model is a theoretical framework, not an experimental phenomenon.

With the theory, physicists can do more extensive work.

For a time, Bohr became famous.

He went directly from an ordinary doctoral student to one of the hottest physics celebrities today.

A young man of only 26 years old, he is as talented as his mentor.

Some people even compare the Bohr model with the special theory of relativity.

It is believed that they will each usher in a new era of physics.

In Germany, the Physical Society held a meeting on Bohr's paper and invited almost all scholars in Germany.

The great predecessors who attended the conference included: Roentgen, Planck, Braun, Wien, Nernst, and Sommerfeld.

At the same time, the younger generation of German physicists were also present.

Among them were Laue and Born, as well as other outstanding figures such as Stark, Frank, G. Hertz (Hertz's nephew), and Ehrenfest.

In addition to being outstanding in their own right, both of them are young people who have been personally invited by Bruce.

As for Bruce's vision, there is no longer any controversy in the physics community today.

When the meeting was about to begin, Laue suddenly saw a person next to him who seemed to be drawing the orbits of stellar bodies.

So he smiled and said, "Hello, my name is Laue, your drawings are very beautiful, do you like astronomy?"

The man was stunned and replied: "Hello, my name is Schwarzschild."

"Laue, I know you. You are the genius who proved the nature of X-rays. Your experiment is very beautiful."

Laue was very happy in his heart, but said shyly: "Schwarzschild, you are too kind. Compared with Bohr, I am nothing."

Schwarzschild smiled slightly.

Soon, the two of them stopped talking and the meeting began.

As representatives of the German physics community, Roentgen and Planck had unparalleled prestige in the country.

Even Braun, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics together with Marconi, could not compare to him.

At this moment, both bigwigs praised the Bohr model.

It is believed that it will inevitably usher in a new wave of atomic research.

Planck also said: "At the first Bruce Conference, Bruce analyzed that the core of modern physics is atomic research."

"X-rays, radioactivity, spectral phenomena, etc., these physical phenomena are essentially related to the activities inside atoms."

"We in Germany are world leaders in X-ray and spectroscopy research."

“But I hope everyone won’t be too proud, because our current research results are not the essence, but the appearance.”

"For example, what is the mechanism of X-ray production?"

"What is the discrete mechanism of spectroscopy?"

"And all of this is likely to find its answer in the Bohr model."

"Of course, I am not asking everyone to give up their original research topics and study the Bohr model instead."

"After all, it was published by Bruce's students, and the Cavendish School has a very deep foundation."

"A big demon leads a small demon, and ordinary people can't compare to them."

Planck's humorous metaphor made everyone in the venue laugh.

Only he, Professor Bruce's mentor, could tease others like this.

At this time, Mr. Roentgen continued: "Our generation is old."

"In terms of research capabilities, Laue, Born and others present here are much better than us."

"So from now on, the future of German physics will depend on you."

“Always learn the most cutting-edge results and apply them to your own benefit.”

“This is the best time, and everyone has a chance.”

"But we will still support you silently behind the scenes."

“Whether it’s research equipment, funding, etc., we old guys still have a say.”

After the two seniors finished speaking, Sommerfeld smiled and said, "But I think we should also remain calm."

"I have read Bohr's paper carefully."

“Although his model is amazing, it is just a theory after all, and there is no experimental verification.”

“This may also be an opportunity for us.”

"It's just like when Millikan in the United States used experiments to prove Bruce's photoelectric effect."

“If a new theory wants to gain a foothold and be accepted, it must be accompanied by many experiments.”

“And this is our strength in Germany.”

Roentgen, Planck and other bigwigs nodded with satisfaction, saying that Sommerfeld had said it very well.

Germany is indeed far ahead in the field of precision instruments and experiments.

Sommerfeld's words brought confidence to the younger generation.

We are all young people, and we are all extremely confident and unwilling to admit defeat.

Even if they envy others on the surface, they must be thinking of surpassing them in their hearts. In France, several bigwigs also gathered together. They haven't been together for a long time.

Becquerel, Lippmann, Perrin, Marie Curie, Langevin.

Judging from the number of people, there is still a big gap between the French physics community and the German physics community.

Although there were world-renowned female scientists like Marie Curie, the foundation was still lacking.

Of course, at this time de Broglie was still in college and was an unknown young man.

Madame Curie chuckled and said, "I never thought that Bruce would be overthrown one day."

"I still remember how confident he was in various meetings."

"That kind of domineering aura, as if no one can compare to him."

“The next time I see him at a conference, I must ask him how he feels.”

Now Li Qiwei is not only Madame Curie's friend, but also her boss, helping her solve her life problems.

So Madame Curie was very grateful to Ridgeway.

Lang Zhiwan looked at Marie Curie with a smile, and then agreed: "I think Bruce should thank Bohr instead."

"Although Bohr improved the planetary model, he provided strong evidence for the correctness of quantum theory."

"The planetary model is just Bruce's doctoral work, a minor achievement not worth mentioning."

"Quantum theory is his core theory."

"However, the Cavendish School is really interesting. They deny their own teacher when they debut."

After hearing what Lang Zhiwan said, everyone burst into laughter.

At this time, Lippmann said: "Well, anyway, the next center of physics is probably in Britain again."

"Britain and Germany, these two countries have almost monopolized the achievements in physics. It's really enviable."

Becquerel also sighed: "I have a deep premonition that modern physics is no longer the physics of our time."

“It requires a concept that breaks the mold of everything.”

"From this perspective, youth is actually an advantage."

After that, he looked at Lang Zhiwan and said, "You and Mary have more opportunities than us, and you can also bring out more innovative students."

Lang Zhiwan was solemn, and he suddenly felt a sense of mission.

Recently, he has also been seriously training Maurice de Broglie and others.

As for the other party's younger brother, Louis de Broglie, Lang Zhiwan had met him once and found that his thinking was indeed very bold and jumping.

However, Lang Zhiwan didn't think there was anything special about the other party. He had previously studied history, and although he had recently switched to science, his foundation in physics was too poor.

At this moment, Germany and France, as old physics powers in Europe, became agitated because of the Bohr model.

In addition, Dutch bigwigs such as Lorentz, Zeeman, van der Waals, and Onnes also gathered privately to discuss.

As for Einstein in Switzerland, he was relatively lonely.

His strength was unmatched in Switzerland, and he didn't even have anyone with whom he could communicate.

Einstein wanted to leave.

With his current achievements, he can find a good job in almost any university in the world.

In real history, Einstein was invited by Planck to go to Germany to be a professor of physics.

Now, when he has nothing to do, he likes to write letters to Li Qiwei and tell him that he has a good idea.

Einstein was very excited about the Bohr model, which he thought was a remarkable achievement.

He suggested that Ridgway hold another conference specifically on the Bohr model, as a continuation of the first quantum theory conference.

At this moment, the eyes of the whole world were focused on Britain, on Ridgway and Bohr.

The day after Bohr's paper was published, almost all British physicists sent congratulations.

Lord Rayleigh, Thomson, Rutherford, Wilson, Richardson, old Bragg, Bakla and others were all happy for Bohr.

Of course, the main reason is Li Qiwei.

Bohr was Ridgway's student, and this identity was equivalent to countless honors.

Although everyone joked privately that Bruce's "evil deeds got their comeuppance" and he was finally overthrown by his own students.

But all physicists know that Bohr did not overthrow his mentor, but carried forward his theory.

Use the mentor's quantum theory to improve the mentor's planetary model.

It can be said that Bohr's achievements were built on the solid foundation laid by Ridgway.

And the object of everyone's discussion, Bohr, who was at the center of the storm, was in high spirits at this moment.

He now often encounters greetings from fans when walking around the campus of King's College.

Chris, Gregory and Yu Yin were even more envious.

Now, Qian Wushi, Qian Huzhou, Deng Huaining and Bohr have all met the requirements for doctoral graduation.

There are only three of them in trouble, and there is not much progress at the moment, and they are trembling with nervousness.

Bohr smiled and comforted the three people, telling them not to worry and that he would help.

The three men wanted to beat Bohr up.

Little did people know that although Bohr was pretending to be cool, he happened to be right.

Soon the research of these three people will be linked to Bohr's theory.

And now, Bohr was preparing to discuss things with Ridgway.

Because his theory encountered its first challenge.

A younger generation of physicists, led by Laue, published a public article hoping that Bohr could delve deeper into his theory and use it to solve practical problems.

This is not to question the Bohr model, but everyone hopes that it can become a mature theory.

Even so, Bohr felt the pressure.

Only at this moment did he understand how difficult it was for Professor Bruce to propose quantum theory.

(End of this chapter)