1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 336: The Limitations of Bruce's Field Equations? The Origin of the Universe! Ridgway's Shocking Declaration!

Faced with general relativity, astronomers finally couldn't hold back anymore.

This supreme theory in the field of astronomy makes all astronomers love it deeply but also feel a little fearful.

Its description and deduction of the universe are so shocking.

Beyond the mechanical astronomical view of the universe.

The universe is not static, but dynamic.

It can be said that the astronomical consensus of thousands of years was easily broken by Ridgway's general theory of relativity.

That’s why it has such a big impact.

However, no matter how great a theory is, there will always be people who dare to question it.

Copernicus questioned Ptolemy's heliocentric theory;

Let astronomy enter a new era.

Now astronomers know that the sun is not the center of the universe, but just an ordinary star.

Astronomy, like physics, is also constantly developing amidst questioning.

And now, as for the general theory of relativity, even though it is so perfect that there are only a few people in the world who can point out its errors.

But astronomers still need to think from a deeper perspective.

People admire and respect Bruce's status, but that doesn't stop them from questioning his theories.

After all, Li Qiwei himself stepped on Newton to get to his position.

His theory of relativity completely negated Newton's two major theoretical systems: mechanics and universal gravitation.

At this moment, Kaptane also looked excited.

At his age, he would hardly be moved anymore.

But ever since the day the theory of general relativity was published, he has repeatedly returned to the passionate days of his youth.

Every day there is something new to discuss.

There are new major academic goals to be achieved in the field of astronomy.

Even these goals are ultimate goals.

His heart, which should have been quiet, became completely hot.

"Hello, Professor Bruce, I'm Kapteyn."

Li Qiwei nodded and said with a smile: "Hello, Professor Kapteyn."

The achievements of this great man laid the foundation for later proof that the Milky Way is rotating.

The discovery of the Milky Way's rotation has further deepened humanity's understanding of celestial bodies in the universe.

Kapteyn was silent for a few seconds, organized his words, and said:
"Professor Levitt just suggested that adding a cosmological constant could curb the expansion of the universe."

"But I hold the exact opposite view to him. I support the expansion of the universe."

"I have studied the Bruce field equations carefully."

"Although this equation cannot be solved exactly by conventional means."

“But some trends can be seen.”

"Professor Bruce, my question is this."

"Assuming that the universe is expanding at this moment, what was its past and future like?"

"This equation doesn't give an intuitive explanation."

"Or, it's just too difficult to get the equations to evolve to these results."

"I wonder how you, Professor Bruce, considered this issue when you proposed the expansion of the universe."

Wow!
Kapteyn's question shocked all astronomers.

Because this question even involves the origin of the universe.

Isn't this equivalent to, if there is a super-dimensional existence that can easily solve the Bruce equation, then it can see the past and future of the universe.

Although it sounds shocking, it is the truth.

"This question is a bit too difficult. I don't think Professor Bruce knows how to do it."

"The evolution of the universe has taken more than billions of years, and knowing that there was an expansion period is already very impressive."

"Professor Kapteyn's request is too high. It is beyond human capability."

"And the origin of the universe is so mysterious that it involves the realm of philosophy."

Sure enough, when Kapteyn raised this question, philosophers such as Russell and Wittgenstein present also looked solemn.

This issue is the most important core topic even in the field of philosophy.

How did the universe come into being?

Where will it go?
"God, I don't believe Bruce can really explain this."

"If he really came up with a reasonable explanation, he would probably be considered the top philosopher."

Wittgenstein was extremely excited at this moment.

He didn't expect that the meeting would even discuss the origin of the universe.

These scientists are simply amazing.

Wittgenstein considered himself a one-in-a-million genius.

But as for the origin of the universe, he could only think about it.

It should be said that not only him, but people in the entire philosophical community can only think about it.

After all, they can neither do experiments nor calculate.

We can only rely on imagination to guess.

This kind of fantasy might be worth a debate with the same philosopher.

But facing Professor Bruce, it’s a bit embarrassing.

After all, that man was the one who proved logically that the universe was expanding.

Just this one point alone is something that all philosophers would never be able to come up with in their entire lives.

This is not a one-dimensional thing at all.

Apart from astronomers and philosophers, the most shocked people present were the physicists.

Some of them have actually thought about this issue.

But I think it must be in the explanation of the field equations.

Although it cannot be solved now, it will definitely be solved in the future.

However, Kapteyn's question made physicists realize that astronomy and physics are different.

Their understanding of the origin of the universe has gone even further than physics.

All we need to know about physics is that general relativity unifies space, time and matter.

As for the specific details.

"Just solve the equation and you'll know."

But astronomers are like this: I want the result now, even if it can’t be solved.

Planck, Thomson and others understood that Kapteyn probably just wanted a prophecy from Bruce.

Or it's just a guess.

That is, they want to know which solution the universe we live in follows.

Strictly speaking, this is a bit too much to ask.

No matter how extraordinary and talented Bruce is, he also has his limitations.

Partial differential equations are not so easy to solve.

"This is about asking Bruce to predict the future of astronomy."

"I kind of understand what Captan is thinking. This old guy is quite cunning."

"They're squeezing Bruce to death."

"Hahaha"

Everyone laughed.

At this moment, the expressions of everyone in the Chinese delegation were very strange.

On the one hand, they felt an immense sense of pride in Ridgway.

The Chinese stand at the pinnacle of world science!
Is there anything more exciting than this?
For many years, China has never been so proud.

Anyone who still has passion for the cause has already regarded Li Qiwei as a spiritual idol.

He is not a politician and does not know how to govern the country.

He is not a military strategist and does not know how to lead troops in battle.

He is not a literary writer and cannot write beautiful and thought-provoking articles.

but!

He seeks truth and transcends the world.

He used his knowledge to establish universities and factories. When everyone else was just shouting slogans, he was the only one who was actually doing practical work to improve the country's scientific and technological foundation.

When warlords were fighting for territory, he was the only one who took in those poor children and provided them with an education.

Such a pure-hearted person deserves the admiration of everyone.

And now, he stands alone on the stage, accepting challenges from the smartest people in the world.

He looks down on the world and handles everything with ease.

Even if Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms were to be reborn, he would probably have to admit defeat.

Zhuge Liang was able to debate with many scholars, while Li Qiwei was able to overpower many gods.

The members of the Chinese inspection team's admiration for Li Qiwei has reached its peak at this moment.

However, they soon discovered a sad fact.

Nowadays, Europe has begun to discuss the origin of the universe, while some people in China are still clinging to the Four Books and Five Classics.

This contrast makes those who come from the country feel like they are in a different world.

"My God, it feels like we are living in two different worlds."

“If it weren’t for today’s meeting, I would never know that the world is like this.”

“The universe has a concrete image in my mind, not just an empty word.”

The head of the delegation sighed inexplicably.

He knew that this mission might not be completed.

Only after seeing Li Qiwei in person did he realize his status in the Western world.

How could such a big shot accept the conditions in China?

Moreover, he had investigated Li Qiwei and knew that he was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education during the Qing Dynasty, which was equivalent to the Deputy Minister of Education.

I'm afraid that people may not take the position of Minister of Education of the Republic of China seriously.

Wang Luyao and Xiang Lan looked at Li Qiwei with both happiness and worry.

Their husband is like the sun that shines in the sky, illuminating the world.

Everyone respected and admired him.

What worries me is that, judging from the expressions of the people around me, I can tell that this question is difficult to answer.

Even Xiang Lan knew the difficulty.

Under the guidance of Wang Luyao, she also began to learn scientific knowledge.

Wang Luyao’s reasons are very strong.

"Xiang Lan, the people you will come into contact with in the future will definitely be bigwigs in various fields."

"How can you do this without knowing a little bit of scientific knowledge?"

“Even if you don’t understand them, you have to know a few nouns.”

"Especially my husband's quantum theory and theory of relativity, we need to be more familiar with them."

Poor Xianglan, she is so old now and still has to start from scratch.

But she was very happy while learning. Anything that could make Li Qiwei happy and proud could make her happy.

At this moment, Li Qiwei, standing on the stage, became the center of everyone's attention.

Everyone knows that Kapteyn’s question is of profound significance.

It has surpassed all the previous questions and truly brought today's meeting to a climax.

Facing everyone's expectant eyes, Li Qiwei suddenly smiled.

Everyone was stunned and confused.

"I think I might have to become an astronomer."

"In this way, Professor Kapteyn, you don't have to ask me questions in a roundabout way in the future."

what!
There was a burst of laughter from the audience.

Li Qiwei's humor made everyone laugh.

Even Kapteyn himself was embarrassed.

Well, although, he did have that in mind a little.

"But, by God, I am absolutely pure in my approach to science."

After Li Qiwei and the others calmed down, he smiled and said:

"At the 79th British Conference for the Advancement of Science, I presented the theory of creation."

"I personally think that, to some extent, it provides a new approach to the question of human origins."

“This is also the first time that I have used scientific knowledge to explain fundamental philosophical issues.”

"To be honest, after the creation theory was proposed, the Pope of Rome sent someone to contact me and tried to convert me to Christianity."

“I refused outright.”

"My original words at the time were: My God is different from the God you believe in."

"My god created humans, but that doesn't mean it can be above humans."

Wow!
Everyone in the auditorium was shocked.

They didn't know why Bruce said that.

After all, at this time in Europe and the United States, faith was still the main belief.

But no one blamed him because Li Qiwei was originally Chinese.

It is natural that Chinese people do not believe in God.

If you can’t bless me with promotion and wealth, and you don’t even beat me up, then you still want me to trust you?
But what does this have to do with Kapteyn's problem?

Li Qiwei continued: "The purpose of my telling this example is very simple."

"That is, I firmly believe that humans can understand the world on their own."

“Not even God is exempt from this.”

"Since I can explain the origin of mankind, then I can explain the origin of the universe."

"Because man can conquer nature!"

boom!
At this moment, the auditorium was in an uproar.

Everyone was infected by Li Qiwei's domineering aura.

Master Qian Wu and others were even more excited and their blood was boiling.

There seemed to be flames dancing in their eyes, that was the fire of desire.

Only a Li Qiwei like this is worthy of their unswerving following.

Man can conquer nature, and their careers will surely succeed.

Nothing can stop the rise of China.

Bohr, Hubble and others were all shocked.

The more they understand Li Qiwei, the more they can feel the surging power.

He never thought of stopping, nor was he afraid of the difficulties ahead.

Even though science is not the absolute truth, he never gave up.

Li Qiwei's ambition made these young men tremble.

"There has never been any scientist as domineering as Professor Bruce."

"The more they understand, the more awed and cautious they become."

"However, Professor Bruce has a great spirit that can rule the world."

"He firmly believed that human wisdom was the greatest."

“Is there anything more romantic in the world than this?”

All the physicists were shocked.

Even the older generation like Planck was filled with emotion at this moment.

The shock that Li Qiwei had just brought to them was soul-stirring.

The saying "man can conquer nature" established the status of scientists.

So what if there is a creator.

Humans created trains, but trains are stronger than humans.

Humans created the telegraph, but the telegraph is faster than humans.

Since the Creator created human beings, why can't human beings be smarter and wiser than the Creator?

What a vast belief this is!
At this moment, everyone even forgot Li Qiwei's last sentence.

He wants to explain the origin of the universe!
Kapteyn was now dazed, and he muttered to himself.

"I don't know what Professor Bruce's next explanation will be."

"But I know that history will always remember this moment."

Bruce, that man, is going to reveal the origin of the universe!
(End of this chapter)