1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 438: Flame is not mysterious! Glass is the most mysterious! "Why is glass transparent?"

Inside the lecture hall of Columbia University.

As soon as Li Qiwei's speech began, it aroused the interest of everyone present.

The topic of today's speech is physics and astronomy.

Before this, many people thought that Professor Bruce would talk about general relativity.

After all, this theory is closely related to astronomy, and its five major predictions are the goals pursued by countless astronomers.

However, no one expected that Bruce would actually talk about some down-to-earth science.

Given the other party's position and perspective, what kind of knowledge is considered down-to-earth?
“In the fields of physics, chemistry, and astronomy.”

"Humans have been using it for thousands of years and still know nothing about it."

At this moment, everyone was a little confused.

If you're talking about Newton's era, you may not understand it.

After all, science was just beginning at that time, and there was a lot of mystery ahead.

Every field is a scientific frontier.

But now we have entered the twentieth century.

Humans can even transmit sound over thousands of miles, cross the oceans, and soar into the sky.

From atoms to the universe, all laws have been conquered by human wisdom.

Scientists' confidence swelled to the extreme.

Although it is the most cutting-edge scientific field, there are still many unsolved mysteries.

But what Professor Bruce is talking about now is obviously not cutting-edge research content, but very common things or phenomena.

How is it possible to know nothing about this?

There was a lively discussion among the audience.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe it. It's already down to earth. How much more difficult can it be?"

"How could you know nothing?"

“Is there any area that has not been studied yet?”

“Physics, chemistry, biology, medicine.”

"There are so many natural sciences that the entire world can be included in the research objects."

The big guys in the front row, such as Millikan, Hale, Dyson, etc., all had smiles on their faces.

Just the opening sentence is half the battle for the speech.

The big guys lamented:
"Professor Bruce's speeches are always different from others."

“That distinctive personal style makes people never forget it after listening to it once.”

“This is the highest level of public speaking.”

The big professors present here are people who often give speeches everywhere.

However, when they asked themselves honestly, they realized that compared with Professor Bruce's speeches, their speeches were indeed a bit boring.

The master's style of making things seem easy and handling things with ease is worth learning for everyone for a lifetime.

At the same time, they also became curious about this issue.

It must be something extraordinary for Professor Bruce to say that there is something he knows nothing about.

Maybe a whole new field can be opened up.

That is equivalent to expanding the boundaries of human research.

This is the role of the world's top scientists, to expand the frontiers of human science.

Just as the big guys were expressing their feelings, soon, students in the audience began to try to answer.

"Professor, I think it's fire."

“Humans have been using fire since ancient times.”

"But the nature of fire seems to have not been figured out yet."

The student's answer was recognized by many people.

However, many smart students shook their heads slightly, thinking that this should not be the answer.

As for the big guys in the front row and geniuses like Wu Youxun, they all smiled slightly.

Fire is not something mysterious.

At this time, Li Qiwei smiled and said after hearing this:

"Who nodded just now?"

"Every one of them will have to go back and retake their college courses."

There was a burst of laughter in the venue.

"As early as 1772, the Swedish chemist Scheele discovered the existence of oxygen."

"And he also realized that the nature of combustion might be the energy reaction produced by the combination of this gas and combustible materials."

"Lavoisier named this gas oxygen based on Scheele's work."

“And he also proposed the redox reaction, which is the so-called oxidation theory of combustion.”

"He believed that combustion was the reaction of matter with oxygen."

“The reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen is called oxidation, and the reaction in which an oxide loses oxygen is called reduction.”

“Of course, later chemists took it a step further and came up with the concept of valence.”

“This is beyond the scope of our discussion.”

"But no matter what, humans are definitely not completely ignorant of fire."

Everyone nodded in admiration.

Professor Bruce has easy access to all kinds of scientific knowledge.

Even though chemistry is not his main field, he knows it like the back of his hand.

This kind of strength is what everyone dreams of, the realm of a grandmaster.

However, the student who answered did not seem to give up, but continued to ask:

"But professor, what exactly is that flame? A ball of energy?"

His question caused a buzz.

It clearly resonated with many students.

If I had just said that many people knew about Lavoisier's redox reaction.

As for the nature of fire, almost no one has ever understood it.

Only the smartest students, who have studied a lot of professional literature outside of class, can find the answer.

Because this involves very deep knowledge of physics.

The flame obviously looks like a ball of air, but it has a shadow.

This means that it is still an entity, but how can an entity be so erratic?

Many students even thought this was some unsolved mystery.

They are concerned about:
"Can Professor Bruce answer this question?"

Li Qiwei heard this and said with a smile:
"Good question."

"I guess you want to ask, solid, liquid, gas, what kind of material form is flame?"

The student nodded vigorously because he couldn't express himself well.

"It's actually very simple. Flame belongs to the fourth state of matter."

"The late British physicist Professor Crookes discovered the existence of a fourth state of matter in 1879."

"The fourth state of existence is ionized gas."

"It's a system made up of a large number of charged particles and neutral particles."

“Since it does not belong to the traditional three states of solid, liquid and gas, it is named the fourth state.”

“In fact, this thing is very common.”

"Almost all the various cosmic rays studied by astronomers exist in the fourth state."

"Flame is a collection of various particles formed after the combustion of matter and oxygen."

In real history, American chemist Langmuir first used the word "plasma" to describe the fourth state in 1928.

This name is very appropriate and vivid, showing the characteristics of the fourth state of matter.

At this moment, the student who asked the question was full of admiration.

Things that seemed extremely mysterious to him were explained by Professor Bruce as if he were telling a story.

Many students showed confused and impressive expressions.

At this moment, they deeply felt the power of the world's number one scientist.

No problem can stump the other party.

"Professor Bruce is simply an encyclopedia, and one that is constantly updated."

"Oh my God, there is a fourth state of matter. I am so ignorant."

"I didn't expect Professor Bruce to know so much about astronomy."

"I think he will soon revolutionize astronomy just like he revolutionized physics and chemistry."

At the same time, everyone discovered that physics and astronomy have such a close relationship.

No wonder Professor Bruce wants to study astronomy.

Maybe he was trying to find some new inspiration.

Among the crowd, Yu Qingsong heard Li Qiwei's speech for the first time.

He now had only one thought in his mind.

"How can there be such a perfect man in the world?"

Yu Qingsong was fascinated by the aura of having the whole world under his control.

The other party told the story in a leisurely manner, and even a student with no basic knowledge would have some understanding of the history of fire after listening.

This ability has reached the state of returning to nature.

There is a world of difference between us and those who like to show off their knowledge.

Because the more people like to show off professional vocabulary, the lower their level.

Vocabulary was originally created to explain phenomena.

Any professional term can be expressed in plain and easy-to-understand language.

If you can’t explain it, it means you haven’t fully understood it.

This is why many experts in later generations became experts.

At this moment, Yu Qingsong's desire to talk to Professor Li became stronger.

Wu Youxun looked at the stage excitedly.

Only when he truly entered the cutting-edge research field of physics did he understand what a great person the principal was.

In the past, he only knew that the principal was very powerful, so powerful that he was even the number one in science.

But what kind of powerful method is it?

Wu Youxun didn't understand.

However, the moment he published the Wu-Compton effect, explaining the wave-particle duality of light, he understood it profoundly.

He and Compton racked their brains, as if the result of their life's hard work was just to verify a paper written by the principal.

That is the gap between gods and mortals.

The mortals here do not refer to ordinary people, but to physics geniuses like Wu Youxun.

At this moment, I felt the grandmaster-like speech of the principal on the stage.

Wu Youxun smiled happily and vowed in his heart:
"I want to be a scientist like the principal!"

At this moment, the big guys like Millikan and Hale in the front row were also deeply moved.

The nature of fire is just ordinary knowledge to them.

The students may not know this cutting-edge knowledge, but these big guys definitely know it.

The big guys were impressed that Professor Bruce had so smoothly linked physics and astronomy together.

There is a fourth state in physics and there is also a fourth state in astronomy.

Ordinary flames and the vast and mysterious cosmic matter also have essential similarities.

This kind of beauty is what shocks the big guys.

Millikan said, "It seems Bruce knows a lot about astronomy."

"He even knows cosmic rays so well."

Hai Er said unconcernedly, "This is nothing to Professor Bruce."

Just when everyone thought the answer was over, Li Qiwei added:
"Professor Crookes once told me that he didn't like the name of the Fourth State."

"He jokingly asked me to help him come up with a name."

"Later, because of the war, I forgot about this matter."

"I just want to take this opportunity today to fulfill his long-cherished wish."

"I decided to name the fourth state plasma."

Wow!
There was an instant exclamation from the audience.

It’s so domineering!

Professor Bruce, in front of so many scientific leaders, directly renamed the fourth state.

Who agrees? Who objects?
At this moment, he was the authority of science. This scene made Yu Qingsong and other Chinese students excited, and they wanted to stand up and shout to the sky.

In front of countless Westerners, Professor Li was like a god high above, overlooking everything.

"That's Professor Li Qiwei from China."

"He can define scientific law with just one word!"

"In the field of science, Professor Li has achieved the highest level of achievement ever!"

Many bigwigs in the front row were silently chewing on the meaning of this word.

The more they thought about it, the brighter their eyes became.

Because the name is so good.

Nice to hear and easy to remember.

Of course, even if it doesn't sound nice, this name is destined to be adopted by the physics community.

Because its proposer is Professor Bruce.

After the episode, everyone's mood gradually calmed down.

Then, many people gave some answers, but none of them guessed correctly.

At this time, Li Qiwei said:

"Whether it's flames or anything else, it has little to do with astronomy."

"What I'm talking about is very important, even essential, for astronomical research."

“In addition, it is also crucial for chemistry and physics.”

However, no one could guess it.

Li Qiwei couldn't bear it, so he had to remind him with a smile:
"The most important instrument for observation in astronomy is the telescope."

"So what is the most important part of a telescope?"

The voice just fell.

Everyone present had a flash of inspiration, and then said almost in unison:

"Glass!"

"It's glass!"

"I work at an observatory and I know that the heart of a telescope is glass."

"Nonsense, I know this even though I'm a liberal arts student."

Glass, especially optical glass, almost determines the high-end level of an observatory.

The larger and smoother the glass, the better the lens effect and the more precise the optical system.

At this moment, everyone finally understood the answer to the mystery.

Yu Qingsong scratched his head and suddenly realized:

"I'm an astronomy major."

“I didn’t even think of this.”

"Astronomers use glass to make lenses for telescopes."

"Physicists use glass to make various devices for optical research, such as prisms and mirrors."

"Chemists use glass as containers for various chemical reactions."

"Glass is indeed a field where various disciplines intersect, and its applicability is very strong."

Wu Youxun smiled and said with emotion:
"This should be what the principal often talks about, the importance of cross-disciplinary learning and cooperation."

"I study physics, so I definitely wouldn't think of glass."

"Qingsong studies astronomy, and he wouldn't think about glass."

"Because glass is so common and ordinary, it is subconsciously ignored."

“But if you put the two of us together, you’ll find something in common about glass.”

International students: Why didn’t you say anything just now, Angkor? Didn’t you expect it?

Wu Youxun: I won’t bring you to the exchange meeting.

But soon, everyone thought of a serious problem.

What happened to the glass?
Why did the president (Professor Li) say we know nothing about glass?
At this moment, not only Wu Youxun and others, but everyone present asked the same question.

“Why glass?”

"Is there anything mysterious about glass?"

"Could Professor Bruce be wrong?"

"How could we know nothing about glass?"

"Glass is everywhere not only in science but also in life."

Everyone was puzzled.

It is really impossible to associate glass with the lofty problems of physics and astronomy.

For a moment, the venue was filled with discussions.

The big guys in the front row are no exception.

Haier was no longer as calm as before because the topic was now related to astronomy.

The reason why the United States is so developed in the field of astronomy is due to its strong industrial capabilities.

This is why we can produce high-quality glass that other countries cannot.

Especially high-end glass, which is a strategic material.

It plays a very important role in military and other fields.

But that's why he was confused.

"We know nothing about glass?"

If anyone else had said this, Hai Er would have definitely scolded that person on the spot.

But if it was the man's point of view, he immediately calmed down.

The problem must be with me.

At the same time, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

"Oh my God, is Professor Bruce going to invent a new type of glass?"

"That would be very important for astronomy."

Not only astronomy giants like Hale, but also Millikan was confused.

what's the situation?
How come I didn’t know there was something special about glass?
Millikan was an experimental physicist and the successor of Professor Michelson, the great optics expert.

No one present dared to say that he knew more about glass than him.

Of course, Professor Bruce is not considered a human being and is excluded.

He has performed countless experiments with glass.

Glass is extremely stable and chemically inert, making it perfect for optical instruments.

Would there be any problem with this kind of thing?

Millikan could not imagine it.

"With Bruce's current position, there's no way he can joke around."

"With so many big guys here today, what he said will definitely not be too naive."

“Even if there are many students, the content can be easy to understand, but the theory must be very profound.”

"Otherwise, wouldn't that damage Professor Bruce's reputation?"

"But there's really nothing to say about glass."

Not only Millikan and Hale, but other bigwigs also showed expressions of disbelief.

Young geniuses such as Compton and Hubble were also thinking silently.

Since the question was raised by Professor Bruce, it must be extraordinary.

At this moment, Li Qiwei took in everyone's expressions.

Shocked, confused, thoughtful, bewildered.
This question was just as he had imagined, leaving everyone in disbelief.

The reason is just as he said.

Glass is a very common thing.

So common that no one ever noticed it.

“I believe that many people present here are wondering.”

"Is Professor Bruce making fun of us?"

"It's impossible for ordinary people, let alone scientists, to know nothing about glass."

“Yes, glass does have a very long history.”

"Thousands of years ago, the ancient Egyptians mixed sand with alkali, lime and other ingredients to create the first glass."

"In China, we call glass [Liuli]."

"More than 3,000 years ago, the Chinese also mastered the glass manufacturing process."

“And very fine glass could be made at that time.”

“So, whether in the East or the West, people are familiar with glass and have a natural love for it.”

"More than 200 years BC, the ancient Babylonians invented the glass blowing process."

“Glass can be made into any shape of vessel as desired.”

“After that, various new techniques emerged.”

“Humans are getting better and better at making glass.”

"We also discovered that by adding various metals to the glass liquid, we could produce colored glass."

“So, a thousand years ago, stained glass appeared in various churches in Europe, bringing peace to people’s souls.”

“Three hundred years ago, scientific pioneers used the transparency and stability of glass to create various experimental instruments, opening the door to science for mankind.”

"Newton used a prism to solve the mystery of the composition of sunlight."

"Lavoisier invented a sophisticated chemical reaction device using glass, which disproved the phlogiston theory."

“Leuvenhoek invented the microscope, which allowed humans to observe the world of microorganisms for the first time.”

"Galileo improved the telescope and saw the vast universe and the starry sky, which opened up the true astronomical journey of mankind."

"It can be said that without glass, there would be no birth of natural science."

“Humanity will always live in ignorance.”

"The importance of glass to mankind cannot be overstated in any language."

“Until now.”

"We can make glass that is clearer, flatter and larger."

"For example, the Mount Wilson Observatory where Director Hale works has the largest optical lens in the world, as far as I know."

"That's why there are the most advanced telescopes in the world."

Li Qiwei's words made everyone present feel as if they had experienced an epic scientific journey.

The accidental appearance of glass has promoted human civilization and completely changed human history.

This heavy, fateful bond shook everyone's soul.

"Oh my God! Glass has such a history."

"I used to hate the glass factory next to our house."

"Now, I want to apologize for what I thought before."

“Glass is so ordinary, but it carries many miracles of mankind.”

At this moment, everyone was immersed in the beautiful imagination of glass.

Professor Bruce's erudition once again shocked everyone.

The big guys in the front row felt a kind of baptismal purification.

They are only concerned with pursuing the top, but forget about their partners who have been with them for a long time.

But soon, everyone thought of Professor Bruce's words again.

“We know nothing about glass.”

What exactly is going on.

Under the gaze of everyone, Li Qiwei continued:
"Glass has advanced science."

"But in turn, scientific progress should allow us to study glass more deeply."

"Now, let me tell you why we know nothing about glass."

"The most important property of glass is its transparency."

"Because it is transparent, astronomers can use it to observe the stars."

“It’s something biologists can use to observe bacteria.”

“It’s only used by chemists to observe the color and state of reactions.”

"It's what physicists use to study the properties of light."

"So, has anyone here ever thought about this question?"

"Glass, why is it transparent?"

boom!
The whole place is silent!

(End of this chapter)