1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 276 The real quantum theory! Sensation in the physics world!
After Ridgway brought Bohr back to England, Bohr went into seclusion again.

He rushed into the library and madly beat up the students in the same department.

Chris and others envied the chicken even more purple.

"Oh my God, is Bohr going to publish another paper?"

Master Qian Wu said calmly: "I guess he has found a way to verify the Bohr model."

"Hey, Bohr is indeed a genius. He is far ahead of us."

The Chris trio nodded in unison, shivering.

As the discoverer of superconductivity, Master Qian Wu's status is now second only to Bohr.

He and Bohr were young talents at King's College London and rising stars in the world of physics.

But they can never reach the heights of Ridgway.

Because that was caused by the particularity of the times.

In the early 1900s, modern physics had not even begun to take shape.

All physicists were in the dark.

It was Li Qiwei who, with his own efforts, opened up a completely new path for physics and illuminated the direction of the future.

Quantum theory and special relativity laid the foundation for modern physics.

From this point of view, Ridgwell's position in physics is unique.

The so-called X-rays, superconductivity, etc. are all things within the framework.

It is the Bohr model that is an important supplement to quantum theory.

Therefore, Bohr's status is higher than that of Qian Wushi, Laue and others.

Of course, the premise is that his model is correct and can withstand experimental verification.

In the library, Bohr was writing furiously, his smile almost stretching his mouth.

He could no longer imagine the shock his paper would bring to the physics community.

On April 1911, 4, after publishing his first paper, Bohr published another paper with the same title.

The article not only theoretically verifies the Bohr model, but also uses it to explain several very important physical phenomena.

As soon as the paper was published, it immediately caused a huge wave in the physics community.

Countless physicists were stunned; the content of Bohr's paper was simply too shocking.

In this paper "On the Structure of the Atom", Bohr used his model to perfectly explain the Balmer formula.

Bohr believed that the m and n in Balmer's formula represented the sequence of electron orbits.

When n=1, it means that the electron is in the ground state.

When m=2, 3, or 4, it means that the electron is in an excited state.

Electrons in the excited state are unstable, so electrons will jump from the excited state to the ground state. Bohr called this process "electron transition."

During the process of electron transition, electrons radiate energy outward in the form of electromagnetic waves.

The energy value is the energy difference between two energy levels.

The wavelength of the radiated light can be directly calculated using the [Lee-Planck radiation formula], that is, E=hv, where E is the energy difference.

Similarly, when electrons jump from the ground state to the excited state, they need to absorb energy, and the energy value is also the energy difference between the two energy levels.

Based on the theory of electron transition, Bohr gave a theoretical explanation for the mechanism of elemental spectrum.

Take the spectrum of hydrogen atoms as an example:

When m=3, 4, 5, 6, electron transition occurs to n=2, emitting a specific spectrum, thus forming the Balmer series.

When m=4, 5, 6, 7, electron transition occurs to n=3, emitting a specific spectrum, thus forming the Paschen series.

Bohr then made another prediction.

When m=2, 3, 4, 5, an electron transition occurs to n=1. According to calculations, its emission spectrum will fall in the ultraviolet region.

At present, Lyman had discovered a spectral line of ultraviolet emission of hydrogen atoms in 1906.

Then according to Bohr's theory, there will be several other spectral lines that have not been discovered.

Eventually, a spectral line series similar to the Balmer series will be formed.

After the complete success of the Balmer formula and the interpretation of atomic spectrum.

Bohr was not satisfied, so he boldly expanded his paper and explained two other phenomena.

The first is the flame color reaction.

When certain metals or their compounds burn, the flame will appear in a special color.

Different elements burn with different colors of flame.

According to the electron transition theory, Bohr believed that the so-called flame reaction is the electrons in the atoms absorbing energy and transitioning from the ground state to the excited state.

The electron then jumps from the excited state back to the ground state, releasing energy in the form of light.

Different colors of light are light of different wavelengths, corresponding to different energy level differences.

Because different elements have different energy levels, the wavelengths of the final radiated light are different.

This is the essential mechanism of flame color reaction.

The second is the production of X-rays.

Bohr believed that the reason why X-rays can be produced when electrons with sufficient energy bombard metal elements is that the ground state electrons in the metal atoms are impacted and transition occurs, leaving the electrons in an excited state.

Then the excited electrons jump down again and return to the ground state. The light radiated in this process is X-rays, and its energy is the energy level difference.

Based on calculations, Bohr believed that the frequencies of X-rays produced by different metals were different.

Conversely, based on the frequency of X-rays emitted by metal atoms and combined with the Bohr model, the number of electrons in the atom can be calculated, and the nuclear charge number of the atom can be deduced.

The above is the mechanism of X-ray generation.

Originally, Bohr wanted to use his own theory to explain the mechanism of gamma rays.

But no matter how he calculated, the data didn't match, so he had to give up.

Bohr didn't know that the production of gamma rays involves the action of atomic nuclei and has nothing to do with electron transitions, so of course he couldn't calculate it.

However, even so, the content of this paper is enough to drive all physicists completely crazy.

The physics community is boiling with excitement!

boom!
Countless people were stunned and shocked by Bohr's paper.

"Oh my God, Bohr actually proved the mechanism of X-ray generation theoretically. This is too scary."

"Doesn't this mean that Bohr's theory directly put an end to the three major directions of physics: spectroscopy, the periodic table, and X-rays?"

"It's terrible. It's absolutely terrible."

"This is the real quantum theory, mature quantum theory, a completely new set of physical theories!"

In Germany, when Roentgen, Planck and others read the paper, they were all shocked and speechless.

Germany has been conducting research in the field of spectroscopy for decades and has always been a world leader.

Now it has been directly ended by a paper.

From now on, all element spectrum problems will no longer be isolated physical phenomena, but will have theoretical explanations of their mechanisms.

Bohr is equivalent to a country!
Plank smiled bitterly and said, "I didn't expect that I just gave a suggestion that day."

"Bohr has achieved such an exciting result. He is truly a genius."

Roentgen smiled and said, "This is all thanks to your and Bruce's guidance."

"Otherwise, Bohr alone probably wouldn't have been able to come up with it."

"Look at it this way. Thanks to you, Germany is still the leader in spectroscopy."

After saying this, the two of them burst into laughter.

But Laue couldn't laugh anymore.

When he saw Bohr's paper, he gasped and his scalp went numb.

His three good friends, Ewald and the other three, had their eyes wide open, with a look of disbelief on their faces.

"My old swan, Bohr theoretically proved the nature of X-rays. They are just electromagnetic waves emitted by electron transitions."

"Awesome, really awesome. I would never have thought of the concept of electron transition in my lifetime."

"We spent countless days and nights and conducted countless experiments to prove that X-rays are electromagnetic waves, but Bohr deduced it with just a pen."

"Is this the strength of a top genius? It's really terrifying."

"It is said that Bohr was able to come up with the explanation of Balmer's formula with the help of Professor Bruce and Professor Planck."

"This master-disciple-grandson pair is simply amazing." Listening to his friend's sigh, Laoe felt mixed emotions.

The proof that X-rays are electromagnetic waves by crystal diffraction can be said to be his most proud achievement, which won him countless honors and applause.

Einstein had never been so emotionally turbulent when he was successful or unknown.

However, the appearance of Bohr almost shattered his determination to pursue the Tao.

“It turns out that geniuses are also divided into different levels.”

If Laue is a genius, then Bohr is a genius among geniuses, and Ridgwell is the cube of genius.

This gap is a thorn in the side that no genius can ignore.

Geniuses are all arrogant. Before comparison, no one will think that they will lose.

However, once there is a fair comparison, especially a direct correlation like that between Bohr and Laue, it is indeed easy to be shocked.

However, Laue had come out of adversity after all, and he soon recovered his composure.

Instead, he smiled and said, "See, Bohr was able to publish his paper so quickly because I forced him to do so."

"If I hadn't publicly questioned the Bohr model, he would probably still be enjoying the praise from others."

After hearing this, Ewald and the other two burst into laughter. This was the real Laue, and this was the type they liked.

The Bohr model is just getting started, and the future of physics is bright enough.

If Germany and Laue were shocked by Bohr's model's explanation of spectroscopy.

Then Rutherford and Soddy were astounded by the explanation of the periodic table.

According to the predictions of the Bohr model, the nuclear charge number of the atom can be calculated by measuring the X-rays emitted by metal elements.

Doesn’t that mean that this method can correct the order of the periodic table or even discover new elements?
boom!
Rutherford could no longer sit still.

He quickly asked his subordinate Mosley to verify the correctness of this theory.

Moseley was a physics lecturer in Rutherford's team, serving as an assistant.

In real history, Moseley experimented from calcium to zinc based on the predictions of Bohr's theory.

As he experimented with more and more elements, he verified Soddy's theory that the elements were arranged in order according to their nuclear charge numbers.

This can be regarded as the final conclusion for the laws of the periodic table.

He also discovered that the wavelengths of X-rays emitted by adjacent elements were very similar because they differed only by a nuclear charge.

Therefore, it can be inferred that if the wavelengths of X-rays emitted by two adjacent elements are very different, it means that there are unknown elements between them.

Sure enough, based on this idea, Moseley predicted four new elements, and they were all soon found.

Unfortunately, he himself never had the chance to see his theory verified.

Because he later died in World War I in 1915.

Except for physicists related to spectroscopy, X-rays, and the periodic table, others were equally shocked by Bohr's paper.

Danish students, in particular, regard Bohr as their idol.

Oersted, a physicist at the University of Copenhagen, even shouted: "Bohr will be the representative of the Danish physics community."

"Denmark has finally produced a world-class physicist."

boom!
For a time, Bohr's reputation was at its peak.

Everyone witnessed the rise of a supernova in physics.

His brilliance is even approaching that of his mentor, Bruce, the world's top physicist.

Of course, no one currently thinks that Bohr has surpassed his mentor.

After all, his theories are all based on Bruce.

But even so, Bohr instantly became at least a senior-level physicist.

This made Wilson and others feel helpless.

"Oh my God, I still remember the first time I met Bohr."

"At that time, he was a young man full of vigor and vitality, and he respectfully addressed me as professor."

"But after just a few years of not seeing each other, he left me far behind."

"I'm afraid it will be the other way around from now on. I have to call him Professor Bohr." Wilson sighed to the sky, thinking that comparing oneself with others will make one feel nauseous.

Thomson was also filled with emotion. He did not expect that the young man whom he had not been optimistic about at the beginning would achieve such success.

He felt a little scared, but luckily he didn't miss Li Qiwei.

Otherwise, he would probably become the object of ridicule by everyone in the physics community.

"I had a keen eye for talent and discovered Bruce."

"Bruce inherited my keen eye for talent and discovered Bohr."

"It's like I discovered Bohr."

"Well, I'll record it like this in my biography from now on."

"I don't know if Bohr is married. I'll have to ask Bruce to warn him not to get married too early."

"The Bohr model is just the beginning."

“There is still a lot of room for development.”

Bohr's second paper caused a much greater sensation than the first one.

Because he used specific experimental results to prove the correctness of Bohr's model.

Moreover, the Balmer formula is a difficult problem that has plagued the physics community for decades, and now it has finally been solved.

If we say that Laue, Bragg, Qian Wushi and others opened the curtain of modern physics.

Then Bohr was like setting off a big firework, making the stage of physics extremely brilliant.

He became the protagonist of this drama.

What many people know is that the protagonist Bohr was created by Bruce.

When Bohr was still a teenager, he was "seduced" into physics by Bruce.

Bohr was rejected by Thomson when he applied to pursue a doctorate, and it was Bruce who extended an olive branch to him.

Bohr's topic was given by Bruce, who also took him to the first Bruce Conference.

The verification of Bohr's theory was that Ridgway took him to seek advice from Professor Planck.

Bruce cleared all obstacles for Bohr.

Of course, the most important factor in all these achievements is Bohr’s own efforts and talent.

If one's personal ability is not good enough, no amount of assistance from outsiders will be of any use.

But in any case, it was Bruce who paved the way for Bohr.

Now he is not only the number one in physics, but also has another title: the number one in physics education.

Such a teacher is the dream teacher in the minds of countless students.

When they compared Li Qiwei with their teacher, they instantly lost their desire to respect their teacher and felt only endless bitterness in their hearts.

And now, this dream teacher envied by countless people will give Bohr even greater support.

Recently, Ridgway received joint suggestions from Planck, Thomson, Einstein and others.

There will be another conference dedicated to quantum theory alone.

Many physicists gathered to discuss the future of quantum theory, as well as special relativity.

Li Qiwei was suddenly filled with emotion.

Eleven years have passed since the first quantum theory conference.

The host at that time was still Lord Kelvin.

At the meeting, Li Qiwei faced off against all the big guys alone, chatting and laughing, looking down on the world.

He tore out the photoelectric effect on the spot and convinced everyone present.

This eventually gave rise to the science of quantum theory.

Then, Millikan used experiments to verify the correctness of the photoelectric effect.

Then Einstein used quantum theory to explain the specific heat of solids, once again vindicating quantum theory.

And now, Bohr's theory has been finalized, shaking up the physics world.

There is no doubt about quantum theory anymore!
Li Qiwei looks back on the past with great pride.

manage!
Do it in a big way!

(End of this chapter)