1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 422: Thoughts of separation and combination! Endless shock! Professor Bruce put an end to the entire chemistry!

As soon as Li Qiwei's proton-neutron model came out, it instantly conquered the bigwigs present.

Compared with the proton-electron model, it is obviously more concise and reasonable.

Everyone saw the sigh on Rutherford's face, which meant that he was also convinced.

However, today's speech is destined to be full of twists and turns, which will excite the hearts of the bigwigs.

Rutherford unexpectedly discovered the same problem with the new model.

A hit!

Tit for tat!

At this moment, when he raised the question, the academicians were collectively silent, all looking at the stage with expectant eyes.

A confrontation is about to begin!
Rutherford said confidently and meaningfully:

"Bruce, I just reinterpreted the periodic table and radioactivity using your new model."

"Do you think my analysis is correct?"

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Come on, Rutherford."

Rutherford said:
"If the proton-neutron model is correct, then the order of the periodic table is simple."

"The number of an element is determined by the number of protons in its nucleus."

"Based on the relative masses of the nuclei and the fact that the masses of protons and neutrons are similar."

"We can then know the composition of the nucleus of any element."

“Take lithium, for example.”

"The relative mass of a lithium nucleus is 7, which means that the number of protons and neutrons added together is 7."

"At the same time, we can measure its nuclear charge, which means the number of protons is 3, ranking third."

"So the lithium nucleus is made up of three protons and four neutrons."

"By analogy, the composition of the nucleus of all elements can be deduced."

"Because the relative mass of the nucleus and the number of protons can be measured directly."

"So, even though neutrons are electrically neutral and cannot be measured by electromagnetic fields, we can still infer them indirectly."

Rutherford's analysis shocked the chemists present.

Because this is simply perfect, even more perfect than the proton-electron model just now.

With the proton-neutron model, the periodic table no longer has any secrets.

From Mendeleev's relative atomic mass ranking to the atomic nuclear charge number ranking.

Now that the elements are arranged according to the number of protons, the periodic table has finally been finalized.

Moreover, judging by Rutherford's logic, it is almost impossible to be wrong.

At this point, Rutherford added another dose of strong material and continued:

"At the same time, the new model can also explain the nature of isotopes."

"Take the tenth element in the periodic table, neon (pronounced milk), as an example." (Is this the reason why Shi Hao loves to drink milk?)
"The most common one is neon 20, which means the relative atomic mass of neon is 20."

"But then Professor Thomson discovered neon 22 in uranium salt ore."

"Aston invented the mass spectrometer in order to study the relationship between two elements."

"With the new model, we can easily do the analysis."

"Neon 20 has 10 protons, 10 neutrons and 10 electrons in its nucleus."

"Neon 22 has 10 protons and 12 neutrons in its nucleus, and 10 electrons outside the nucleus as well."

"That's why neon-20 and neon-22 have similar chemical properties despite having different relative atomic masses."

"Because they have the same number of protons, they also have the same number of electrons outside their nuclei."

"That's the fundamental reason why their chemical properties are similar."

"So, the so-called isotopes are actually different atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons."

"They should be in the same position in the periodic table because they have the same number of protons."

"The proton-neutron model has given us a deeper understanding of the elements."

"Why are the relative atomic masses of various elements not integers, such as lithium's being 6.9412?"

"It is because of the existence of isotopes that the number of neutrons between isotopes is different, which causes the relative mass to be a decimal."

Wow!
Rutherford's analysis of isotopes drove chemists crazy.

"Oh my God, what do I hear!"

"Is this Professor Bruce's theory? It's really scary."

"This is not the end of the periodic table, this is the end of chemistry as a whole!"

"With the proton-neutron model, the elements no longer hold any secrets for us."

“This speech was truly amazing.”

At this moment, the chemists went completely crazy.

The influence of physics on chemistry reached its peak with Rutherford's analysis.

The confrontation between these two top physics giants will directly create a bright future for chemistry.

However, everyone suddenly had a question.

Wasn’t Professor Rutherford trying to point out the problem with the proton-neutron model?

How come the current analysis actually proves the correctness of the new model?

"A little strange?"

The bosses pondered secretly.

However, Rutherford did not keep everyone waiting for too long.

He then reversed the question:

“It must be said that Professor Bruce’s proton-neutron model has an indisputable advantage in analyzing the periodic table and explaining isotopes.”

"But there are problems when it comes to explaining the radioactivity of elements."

"According to the new model, when a radioactive element emits alpha rays, it actually means that the nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons."

"Because alpha rays are the nuclei of helium, which are made up of two protons and two neutrons."

"But how do you explain the emission of beta rays?"

"The essence of beta rays is electron flow, but there are no electrons in the nucleus, so how can electrons be emitted?"

"Besides, since there are no electrons, there will be no electron transitions, so how are gamma rays emitted?"

"That's the problem I have with the proton-neutron model."

"Professor Bruce, can you explain?"

Wow!
When the question was asked, everyone present was shocked.

Offense and defense have changed shape!
"Professor Rutherford's questions are just as sharp as Professor Bruce's."

"They are indeed the two giants of atomic science."

“When it comes to atomic matters, they all have an extraordinary intuition.”

"It's really a fight between dragons and tigers!"

At this moment, even though those present were bigwigs in their respective fields, they couldn't help but get excited.

It is not often that you have the opportunity to encounter such a wonderful academic exchange.

This places extremely high demands on the quality of both parties.

Not only should the difference between the two people's levels not be too great, but they should also be much higher than ordinary people.

This is the only way to inspire admiration.

It’s like two undergraduates. No matter how exciting the debate is, it can only make the big guys smile and they won’t care.

At this moment, everyone suddenly focused their attention on Li Qiwei.

They were curious about how the man would explain this problem.

Thompson uttered a sigh.

Sherrington, who was standing next to him, had just come to his senses, the shock on his face still not subsiding.

He suddenly wondered if he, as the president, could really suppress the many bigwigs of the Royal Society who were so talented and capable?
This debate about the atomic nucleus was an eye-opener for the neurologist.

The wisdom of these two is definitely at the top of this world.

He looked at Thompson and said with a wry smile:
"Professor Thomson, why did you sigh just now?" Thomson said with emotion:

“My colleagues call me the man who opened the atomic door.”

"But it wasn't until today that I realized what's inside the door is so wonderful."

"It's a pity that I no longer have the chance to go in and see it with my own eyes."

Sherrington said: "You physicists are very happy."

"At least the door can be opened."

"We medical scientists haven't even found the door yet?"

"The mystery of life has not even been revealed yet."

When Thomson heard this, he felt relieved and began to comfort Sherrington.

"Don't worry, you will definitely see it."

"I'll talk to Bruce some other day and ask him to take some time to study biology."

After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.

At this moment, Li Qiwei once again became the focus of the audience.

After listening to Rutherford's question, he thought to himself that he was indeed a big shot in the physics books. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances reflected his profound background.

If it were an ordinary person, it would be absolutely impossible to answer this question.

There are no electrons in the nucleus, so how can it emit electrons?
Without electrons, there will be no electron transition, so how can electromagnetic waves be excited?

Logically speaking, these two questions have no solution.

Unfortunately, they met Li Qiwei.

"Then let's give the world a little shock."

boom!
Under the shocked gazes of everyone, Li Qiwei's momentum suddenly exploded!
He had a smile on his face, which made the bosses feel dazed.

Rutherford's heart was trembling inexplicably.

"Bruce in this state is really scary!"

Li Qiwei finally spoke.

“Rutherford, you ask a very good question.”

"But my model can fully explain it."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Li Qiwei stunned everyone.

His confidence made it impossible for anyone to even question it.

"Let's answer the first question first. Why can the nucleus emit electrons?"

“We can first imagine such a problem.”

"According to the law of conservation of charge, if an electron is ejected from the nucleus, since the electron has a negative charge, the nucleus must have an additional positive charge."

"Excuse me, in what form does this positive charge exist?"

The physicists in the field began to frown.

But as they thought more deeply, suddenly, Thomson, Rutherford and other bigwigs thought of a possibility.

They were shocked.

Li Qiwei looked at the expressions of the crowd and knew that it was almost time.

He struck while the iron was hot and said firmly:
"Yes, it can only exist in the form of protons, because protons carry a positive charge."

"So, I think when the nucleus emits an electron, it is actually a neutron that changes into a proton and an electron."

"Then, the electron decays away."

"This process satisfies the law of conservation of charge."

"That is my explanation of Professor Rutherford's first question."

Wow!
Everyone opened their mouths in shock.

This idea is really too far-fetched.

They thought of what Ridgway had said at the beginning: think of the proton and electron as a composite particle.

Now, when beta decay occurs, it's actually the composite particle that's transformed back into a proton and an electron.

One combination and one separation, one separation and one combination, although the process is very simple.

But what is revealed in it is some supreme truth of the universe.

"Professor Bruce is probably the only one in the world who can come up with this idea."

“I can’t find the words to describe how wonderful it is.”

"I really don't know what's going on in Professor Bruce's brain."

“This way of thinking is simply addictive and you can’t get out of it.”

Rutherford's face was flushed at this moment.

Li Qiwei's analysis made his soul tremble.

"It's wonderful, it's wonderful."

“It was as if the truth was dancing before me.”

At this moment, everyone was immersed in this physical thought.

Li Qiwei looked at everyone's surprised expressions and smiled.

The proton-neutron model is suitable for such reactions.

According to the theory of the previous life, when an atomic nucleus undergoes β decay, the neutron will not only turn into protons and electrons, but also emit a particle.

This particle is uncharged, has a mass only one millionth that of an electron, and moves at nearly the speed of light.

This particle was first proposed by Pauli in 1930.

It is the famous neutrino.

Neutrinos are everywhere, and billions of them pass through the human body every second, but we can't feel them.

Because it has no charge, is too small, and hardly interacts with any matter, it is difficult to capture and study.

Therefore, neutrinos are also called "ghost particles".

After Pauli proposed his hypothesis, Chinese physicist Wang Gan (pronounced Gan) Chang proposed a method to detect neutrinos.

But unfortunately, his achievements were buried.

But in this life, Li Qiwei will never let this happen.

At this point, he continued:

"As for the second question, it's relatively simple."

"There is no evidence that electromagnetic waves can only be generated by electron transitions."

"When an atomic nucleus undergoes alpha decay or beta decay, it will also be in a state of energy level change, and this change will also produce photons."

“That’s what’s called a gamma ray.”

"This is also the reason why electron transitions cannot produce gamma rays."

"Because the energy levels of electrons and nuclei are very different."

"The above is my answer to Professor Rutherford's question using the new model."

"Of course, any theory must be verified experimentally, and I cannot be sure that my model is correct."

"After all, my planetary model has already failed once."

"Next, we need experimental physics masters like Professor Rutherford to work hard."

Li Qiwei ended with a joke, but it was obvious that the bosses were not interested in the joke.

Many people didn't even realize that the answering was over.

The shock that the answer just now brought to everyone was unimaginable.

In Ridgway's description, the atom is like an extremely small yet extremely precise machine.

People can't help but marvel at the magic of nature's creation.

It took several minutes for the bigwigs to recover from their shock.

Rutherford had been drawing diagrams on paper according to Li Qiwei's ideas.

The more he painted, the more he couldn't help but ask a question:
"Bruce, how on earth did you come up with this model?"

Everyone heard this and looked forward to it!
(End of this chapter)