1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 434: Reconstructing Quantum Theory! Shocking! "If I don't look at the moon, does that mean it doesn't exist?"

The content of today's speech was so explosive that it almost made everyone in the venue numb.

Electron shell model, chemical bond theory, fourth quantum number
Any one of these items taken alone would be a shocking speech.

When they are all put together and they all represent one person, they can only be summarized as a legend.

Whether they were ordinary students or physics masters, they were all conquered by Li Qiwei.

It was as if that man had no bottleneck.

It continues to expand the boundaries of physics in a way that is incomprehensible to ordinary people.

Just when everyone thought he was about to finish, he unexpectedly reached the peak in the end.

“I want to reconstruct the entire quantum theory!”

In just one sentence, everyone present had their brains shut down.

“Can anyone tell me what it means to reconstruct quantum theory?”

"Don't ask, just be shocked. Didn't you see that those big guys in the front row were more excited than us?"

“It’s definitely going to be something earth-shattering.”

"I study quantum theory. Professor Bruce probably wants to start over again."

"It's like relativity is a reconstruction of Newtonian mechanics."

“It also explains the concept of quantum from a better and more fundamental perspective.”

"But if you think about this kind of thing, you will know how difficult it is."

"He is probably the only one in this world who has such courage."

"hiss!"

"I don't know how serious it is!"

Ordinary students naturally cannot understand it.

They didn't know how terrifying the meaning behind Li Qiwei's words was.

When the gap is too large, even objective evaluation becomes a luxury.

But for geniuses like Heisenberg and Pauli, the situation is different.

They certainly understand what "reconstruction" means.

That is to re-derive the existing theory from a more fundamental way.

Take a simple example.

Rutherford discovered the theory of element transmutation and explained the displacement relationship of radioactive elements.

However, when the proton-neutron model appeared, his theory was directly overturned, or covered up.

Because the proton-neutron model is a more essential theory.

This is what refactoring means.

It was precisely because they knew the meaning that Heisenberg, Pauli and others felt it was incredible.

"Quantum theory is already so perfect, why does it need to be reconstructed?"

Pauli's doctoral thesis was on quantum theory.

Among the students present, there is probably no one who understands quantum theory better than him.

Heisenberg couldn't wait to ask Pauli to explain it to him.

He entered school one year later than Pauli, and was obviously not as good as the latter in accumulating basic knowledge.

What's more, Pauli specialized in quantum theory.

"Brother Pauli, does quantum theory have any huge flaws?"

Pauli also sat down at this moment.

At this point in the speech, everyone was immersed in shock and no one was paying attention to him anymore.

The Whip of God is just a joke in front of Professor Bruce.

Pauli gradually recovered and explained patiently:
“Although there are still some problems with current quantum theory, such as the fourth quantum number and whether electron transition is a probability.”

"But overall, the logical system it was created with stands up to scrutiny."

"Starting from the problem of blackbody radiation, the concept of quantum was first proposed, which can solve the problem of discontinuous radiation."

"Then the planetary model of atomic structure emerged, which led to the concept of quantized orbits."

"Many people have misunderstandings about Professor Bruce and think his planetary model is wrong, which shows that Professor Bruce also made mistakes when he was young."

"But when I delved deeper into the development of quantum theory, I realized how ridiculous this statement was."

"Without the circular motion that first appeared in the planetary model, Professor Bohr would not have been able to come up with the concept of orbits."

"It is even more impossible to have such a wild idea as orbital quantization."

"It can be said that the quantum concept and planetary model proposed by Professor Bruce laid a solid foundation for the Bohr-Lee model."

"As for the second and third quantum numbers proposed by Professor Bruce, and even the fourth quantum number now."

"In fact, they are just adding bricks and tiles to the building of quantum theory."

“Its foundation framework has already been determined.”

“The core is the quantized orbit.”

Pauli is indeed worthy of being the big brother. With a clear and logical explanation, he tells the story of the development of quantum theory.

This is not a rote chronicle.

Instead, he developed his own research on quantum theory.

At this time, Pauli looked very confused and he couldn't figure it out.

"So, it's hard for me to understand why Professor Bruce wants to reconstruct?"

"Does he want to deny the existence of quantized orbits?"

After hearing this, Heisenberg exclaimed:
"That's impossible."

"Both the concept of quantum and the concept of orbit have been verified by many experiments."

"Professor Bruce has no reason to overturn it."

"I don't understand. I really don't understand."

"His thoughts are so elusive."

Pauli shook his head, also feeling confused.

"I don't know that."

"Let's see what Professor Bruce has to say."

For these younger students, Li Qiwei's remarks made them extremely shocked and curious.

However, the big guys in the front row, apart from being shocked, actually had a hint of excitement.

Because they know the past of the man on the stage.

He always creates possibilities in impossible places.

He always brings revolution to physics.

Quantum theory is said to be on par with relativity as the two major pillars of modern physics.

However, its theoretical foundation still has flaws until now.

It is far from being as perfect, self-contained, and governing macroscopic space and time as the theory of relativity.

Therefore, many big names in quantum theory research want to make a breakthrough.

The most anticipated among them are undoubtedly Ridgway and Bohr.

Planck's old and wise eyes looked at Li Qiwei with pride and pride.

If the quantum concept in 1900 was just a seed.

After twenty years of development, the original seeds have grown into towering trees.

And it will soon bear fruit.

He felt extremely relieved.

In fact, Planck probably knew a little about what Li Qiwei was going to say.

Because they had private correspondence.

This is true for people like Bohr and Einstein.

But this is the first time it has been made public.

Planck said with emotion:

"Bruce, you single-handedly completed the theory of general relativity, leaving the theory of relativity flawless."

"Now, you are going to overturn the quantum theory that you created with your own hands."

"If you succeed, physics will be wonderful because of you."

At this moment, everyone in the venue focused their attention on the stage.

There are shock, expectation, admiration, confusion, and thirst for knowledge.
Li Qiwei smiled lightly and said:
"I've spoken to several physicists privately."

"I talked about my views on the current quantum theory."

"I'd like to take this opportunity today to talk to you all about it."

"However, I will only give a rough idea of ​​my thoughts and will not explain too much."

"If you are interested, you are welcome to come to my Quantum Research Institute to discuss it."

"Back to business."

"The current quantum theory has two cores: one is the concept of quantum, and the other is the electron orbit."

“I agree with the quantum concept.”

"But I have always been cautious about the concept of electron orbits."

“Because it seems unnatural to me.”

"I would like to ask everyone here a question?"

"Have any of you actually observed the orbit of an electron through a microscope?"

Wow!
Everyone looked confused.

"The maximum resolution of a microscope is 200 nanometers. It can't even see atoms, so how can it possibly see the electrons inside them?"

"What does Professor Bruce mean by asking this question?"

Only Heisenberg seemed to be thinking about something, as if he had realized something.

Li Qiwei did not try to be mysterious and continued:

“That’s what I call an unnatural assumption.”

“How can we assume that an electron’s orbit exists when no one has actually seen it?”

"And the concept of orbit is only found in classical physics."

"Introducing it rashly into quantum theory itself has certain problems."

“So, what I mean by reconstructing quantum theory is to abandon these unnatural assumptions and the images of classical physics.”

"Discard those physical quantities that we cannot observe."

“Then we start with the physical quantities that we can observe and build theories based on them.”

"Of course, I'm not saying that existing quantum theory is wrong."

“It explains the periodic table, spectroscopy, and so on well enough to justify it.”

"What I mean is that we can derive the current results from a more basic theory."

"For example, maybe we can deduce from theory that electron orbitals are discrete."

"Rather than being based on the quantization of the electron's angular momentum as is currently the case."

At this point, Pauli understood instantly.

He immediately explained to Heisenberg:

"Phew! Now I understand."

"Using an analogy to mathematics, Professor Bruce wants to find a few axioms, and then use logic to deduce various results based on these axioms."

"And the axioms in physics are the various physical quantities that can be measured."

"The concept of orbit in the existing quantum theory is not an axiom because it cannot be observed and is purely imaginary."

"After reconstruction, we can naturally describe all the quantitative conditions of electrons using mathematical language."

"For example, based on the reconstructed theory, we can directly deduce that the electron orbit has three quantum numbers."

"Instead of the current situation where these quantum numbers are all guessed."

“Although they are consistent with various experimental results, they are still conjectured.”

"Professor Bruce wants to eliminate all hypotheses!"

Wow!
After listening to Pauli's translation, the people around him showed expressions of sudden enlightenment.

It turned out to be the case.

At this moment, everyone was impressed by Li Qiwei's spirit.

"God, Professor Bruce is so meticulous."

"If I hadn't listened to his analysis, I wouldn't have realized that there is such a problem in quantum theory."

“He sets too high standards for himself.”

“Is this the attitude of the world’s No. 1 person towards science?”

"Meticulous! Reaching the pinnacle!"

After being convinced, I was endlessly shocked by the reconstruction of quantum theory.

Everyone knows who can accomplish such a feat.

That would certainly be a ground-shaking achievement that would shock the entire physics community.

The other party's position in the field of quantum theory will even surpass that of Bruce, Planck, Bohr and others.

He will be the master of quantum theory and a top physicist who will advance the evolution of quantum theory.

This kind of existence is destined to go down in history.

For a moment, everyone's eyes were burning!
But soon, most people became discouraged.

Not to mention something as shocking as reconstructing quantum theory. Even the fourth quantum number was left to countless people in awe.

The road to the pinnacle of physics is destined to be out of reach for ordinary people.

But this did not stop everyone from being shocked.

Pauli was also shocked beyond words at this moment.

However, he could understand Li Qiwei's good intentions.

"Heisenberg, do you know why Professor Bruce insists on doing this?"

Heisenberg shook his head; he was still digesting what had just happened.

He suddenly had a feeling that it was his destiny.

It was as if what Professor Bruce had just said was directed at him alone.

In the endless void, a figure like a god or demon blocked out the sky and the sun.

It was like the sound of a huge bell coming from the depths.

"Heisenberg, do you understand?"

call!
His soul trembled.

Pauli did not notice anything unusual about his junior fellow apprentice, and continued to talk to himself:
"You'll find out if you study the theory of relativity carefully."

"It's quite normal for Professor Bruce to have such thoughts."

"The special theory of relativity is based on two axioms."

"The first axiom is the principle of special relativity."

"The second axiom is the constancy of the speed of light."

“These two axioms are not conjectures, but have been verified by many experiments.”

“They are fundamental facts of physics.”

"The same is true of general relativity."

“Although the equivalence principle seems bold, it is also based on logical deductions and assumptions.”

"Looking back at the concept of orbits in quantum theory."

“There is neither actual experimental observation nor logical deduction.”

“It’s just a rational assumption.”

"To force the concept of orbits on electrons."

"But has anyone seen that electrons move in orbits?"

"Why can't electrons move by jumping?"

"So, compared with the rigorous theory of relativity, quantum theory seems a bit embarrassing."

"From Professor Bruce's perspective, it would be difficult for him to endure this tearing feeling."

“It is clearly a theory of modern physics, but it is full of concepts from classical physics.”

"If it were me, I would also try to find the underlying rules."

Heisenberg came back to his senses and carefully tried to figure out what Pauli meant.

Suddenly, he had a bolder idea.

However, he only dared to say this to Pauli:
"Brother, can you understand it this way?"

"Since we can't see the orbits of electrons, it means that electrons don't have orbits."

"If you can't see it, it means it doesn't exist, or it doesn't exist."

"Any physical quantity that cannot be measured is not recognized in quantum theory."

When Pauli heard this, his eyes widened instantly, and he didn't know what to say in surprise.

He stared at Heisenberg closely, as if he was meeting him for the first time.

"Good boy, people always say I like to argue with people."

"Heisenberg, you like to scare people."

"Your point of view is too exaggerated."

"Even Professor Bruce isn't as extreme as you."

"He just said to abandon traditional ideas and think from scratch."

"You are so good. You just say that if something cannot be observed, then it does not exist."

"Really awesome!"

"But you know what, your point of view is quite consistent with Professor Bruce's philosophy."

"Why don't you stand up and talk?"

Heisenberg waved his hands quickly.

"No, no, I can't."

"If I tell you this, everyone will probably think I'm crazy."

Pauli laughed and patted him on the shoulder, not taking Heisenberg's words to heart.

Because the other party's views are even more shocking than what Professor Bruce said.

It can even be called terrifying.

However, Pauli was wrong.

When physics developed to quantum mechanics, things really became terrifying.

In real history, Heisenberg insisted on his own ideas and founded quantum mechanics in the form of matrix mechanics.

This was also the first version of quantum mechanics.

Later, Bohr went a step further based on Heisenberg's work.

He even proposed that even observable physical quantities are considered non-existent before they are measured.

Listen, is this something that humans can understand?

That’s why Einstein fought back: If I don’t look at the moon, does that mean it doesn’t exist?

Bohr replied: Yes.

The world has really become scary.

As soon as I close my eyes, the universe ceases to exist.

This triggered the great debate of the century about quantum mechanics.

Of course, the words of the two big guys are full of wit.

Bohr's "observation" is not observation in the general sense.

Einstein’s “seeing” is not as simple as “seeing with eyes”.

Without a certain physics foundation, it is impossible to understand. (Don't worry, I'm here, you will definitely understand)
And all of this will come from the reconstruction ideas proposed by Li Qiwei today.

At this moment, the big guys in the front row couldn't help but sigh:
"Let me count how much Bruce talked about today."

“Even I feel like my brain is running out.”

Then, everyone looked at Planck and Einstein with envy.

Because everyone thinks that the reason why Professor Bruce has so much useful information today is because of these two people's face.

Just like the wonderful debate on atomic structure at the previous Royal Society annual meeting.

Professor Bruce is indeed a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty.

Planck and Thomson helped him, and Rutherford and Einstein knew him when they were still young.

The feelings between them have long transcended nationality and race and are intertwined with scientific truth.

The speech ends here.

It was impossible for Ridgwell to continue to discuss the reconstruction of quantum theory in this situation.

Its difficulty means that this is a game for a minority of people.

The number of physicists in the world who are qualified to participate can be counted on two hands.

Everyone present also understood.

Rather than considering some vague theoretical reconstruction, we might as well try our luck with the fourth quantum number.

After all, Professor Bruce had said it.

The conclusions of existing quantum theory are all correct, and these quantum numbers also exist objectively.

Soon, Einstein took the stage as the host.

With a happy smile on his face, he gave Li Qiwei a strong hug.

"Bruce, today's speech was a great success."

"You almost persuaded me to give up unified field theory and study quantum theory instead."

Li Qiwei smiled and said:
"Einstein, you still have time."

"Unified field theory is much more difficult than quantum theory."

"I'm afraid you'll end up with nothing."

Einstein heard this and laughed:
"Don't worry, Bruce, I have confidence."

“Unified field theory will surely shine.”

Li Qiwei smiled but said nothing.

Let Lao Ai jump around for a while.

At Einstein's passionate summary, everyone in the room stood up.

"Today's speech will go down in history and have an immeasurable impact on the future."

“And everyone here will be a witness to history.”

"Let us thank Professor Bruce with the warmest applause."

boom!
Thunderous applause instantly broke out in the conference hall.

Everyone admires Li Qiwei from the bottom of their hearts.

Because he did not hide anything and shared the most cutting-edge topics in current physics.

It is full of useful information and can inspire anyone.

It is very likely that someone present here will publish a blockbuster paper on this topic in the near future.

“Professor Bruce is a true scholar.”

Although the speech is over, its impact has just begun.

The physics and chemistry communities will surely experience a sensation like an 18-magnitude earthquake.

After Ridgway stepped down, he walked towards the conference room while chatting with Planck, Einstein and others.

Next, it was the internal meeting of the big guys.

Sommerfeld was also in the crowd.

He took advantage of an opportunity and stepped forward and said a little embarrassedly:

"Bruce, please forgive my rude request."

"My doctoral student Pauli wants to meet you."

Li Qiwei smiled and said:
"I just wanted to meet him."

"I heard from Einstein that Pauli also wrote several hundred pages of notes on the theory of relativity."

"Young and promising."

At this time, Pauli and Heisenberg stood up behind Sommerfeld.

They are still students and don't have much time to stay in Berlin.

After the speech, they will return immediately.

Munich is quite far from Berlin.

That's why they were so anxious to meet.

If their mentor had not been Sommerfeld, their hopes would probably have been dashed.

This is the role of connections and resources.

Pauli said generously:
"Hello, Professor Bruce. I have benefited a lot from today's speech."

“I have some ideas about the 2-fold relationship and would like to write a paper on it.”

"I hope to get your guidance then."

Pauli knew that the bosses' time was precious, so he didn't waste time and got straight to the point.

Li Qiwei smiled and said:
"Professor Sommerfeld is still here. How can I dare to promise you?"

Everyone smiled knowingly.

"That's what I asked him to do," said Sommerfeld.

"If you don't mind, Bruce, I'm going to let him study at your Quantum Institute."

Li Qiwei said: "That's what I want. My research institute is in need of talents right now."

After receiving the answer, Pauli stepped back happily.

At this time, Heisenberg stepped forward, his heart pounding and his cheeks turned slightly red.

"Hello, Professor Bubrus, my name is Heisenberg, and I am also Professor Sommerfeld's student."

Ridgway looked at Heisenberg.

Who would have thought that he was such a shy boy.

In real history, the future fate of all mankind is actually in his hands.

What would the world be like if he had calculated the critical mass of the atomic bomb correctly?

Just can't imagine.

Li Qiwei took the initiative to extend his hand and said with a smile:

"Hello, Heisenberg."

(End of this chapter)