1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 526: The power of matrix mechanics! Heisenberg's trump card! Proof of nuclear isomers! The audience was shocked!
1923 10 Month 25 Day.

Inside the senior conference room, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The much-anticipated quantum mechanics conference is about to begin.

The world's top physicists gathered here, making this ordinary conference room shine.

At the invitation of Li Qiwei, a total of 21 people, including him, attended the meeting.

The list is as follows:

Ridgway, Planck, Einstein, Born, Sommerfeld, Lorentz, Ehrenfest, Langevin, Bohr, Rutherford, Fowler;
Schrödinger, de Broglie, Heisenberg, Pauli, Dirac, Kronig, Uhlenbeck, Goudsmit, Compton, Wu Youxun.

What these people have in common is that they are experts in research fields mainly involving quantum mechanics.

However, other experimental leaders such as Madame Curie, Laue, and Millikan took the initiative to reject Li Qiwei's invitation.

Because they knew that the purpose of this conference was to make the first attempt to resolve the debate in quantum mechanics.

What is needed are physicists who specialize in this field.

As quantum mechanics continues to develop, it will inevitably intersect with experiments and even other fields.

There must have been much larger conferences back then.

They took advantage of this time to actively learn about quantum mechanics and look forward to the next meeting.

In this regard, Li Qiwei did not force it any further.

Because next year’s 4th Bruce Conference will be the real main battlefield!
Even so, the list of participants in this conference is enough to shock the academic community.

At this moment, everyone in the conference room represents the absolute authority of quantum mechanics!
As the host, Lorenz started the conversation humorously:

"Some people retire for real, no longer concerned with professional matters, but instead cultivate hobbies that can edify their sentiments."

"Some people retire in a fake retirement mode, and occasionally they have to come out to show their presence."

"I want to thank Professor Bruce for giving an old guy like me, who is pretending to be retired, a chance to show my presence."

Everyone burst into laughter when they heard this.

Lorentz is one of those physics giants who can't sit still.

He continued:
“Today, a group of us gathered here to discuss orthodox problems in matrix mechanics and wave mechanics.”

"I studied both theories carefully and used them to study my previous atomic spectroscopy project."

“I have to say that both theories are very brilliant and perfect.”

"I feel that today's young people are really amazing, each one is better than the other."

"And the public debate about the right and wrong of the two theories is undoubtedly the most exciting event in the scientific community."

"A few days ago, Professor Bruce gave a speech here, in which he mentioned the debate between the caloric theory and the thermal kinetic theory."

“That’s a classic example.”

"There are many such examples throughout the history of science."

"For example, the phlogiston theory and the oxidation theory in chemistry."

"But, have you noticed a problem?"

"After the above theoretical debate, there will definitely be a winner in the end."

"Through theory or experiment, scientists have ample reason to verify who is right and who is wrong."

"This is a very simple but also very correct scientific view."

"That is: if you allow the fullest debate, you will eventually find the right theory."

"But the wave-particle debate breaks this inherent thinking."

"From Newton's light particle theory to Thomas Young's wave theory, it seems that the wave theory is about to win."

"As a result, Bruce proposed the wave-particle duality of light."

“He believed that light had both particle and wave properties.”

"This shows that both the light particle theory and the wave theory are correct. They are just describing one aspect."

"Then, two young men, Compton and Wu Youxun, confirmed the correctness of the wave-particle duality of light."

"But now, the debate between particles and waves has reappeared in quantum mechanics."

"And this debate is going to be even tougher."

"Because according to my research, although these two theories are extremely contradictory, there is absolutely no problem in using them."

“So, I think that with so many theories in the scientific community, there will eventually be a definite result.”

“Why when it comes to light and quantum mechanics, we have to unify two contradictory things.”

“Is there a deeper truth behind this?”

Wow!
Lorentz was worthy of being the top physicist of his time.

Perhaps his personal abilities have declined with age.

But his vision and insight are not weak at all.

This short speech reflects his profound understanding of quantum mechanics and microscopic particles.

Those present were all the world's top bosses or geniuses, but they were also shocked by Lorenz's analysis.

"Yeah, I don't think I've ever considered this angle."

"If matter has the dual nature of wave and particle, then the aspect that only manifests itself is wrong."

"But our world is so orderly that we can even observe only one side of matter."

“It’s terrifying when you think about it.”

Heisenberg glanced at Schrödinger secretly with a provocative look.

He said disdainfully in his heart:

"That's because wave theory is fundamentally wrong!"

"De Broglie's theory of matter waves is also nothing more than an exaggerated fantasy."

"This world is a material world, and fluctuations are just embellishments."

"The truth behind everything is the Matrix!"

Schrödinger noticed Heisenberg's look, but he didn't care.

He is confident in his wave mechanics.

The so-called particles are nothing but illusions of waves.

It's like compressed air is fired out, which can produce the effect of an air cannon.

De Broglie carefully savored Professor Lorentz's analysis.

Although he proposed the theory of matter waves, how to explain the contradiction between wave-particle duality remains a difficult problem.

During this time, he perfected the waveguide theory, which may be a viable theory.

You know, even Professor Bruce at that time could not explain clearly the wave-particle duality of light.

This property can only be regarded as an axiom.

It's like no one can explain why the speed of light is that value.

You can only accept, not understand.

Is wave-particle duality the same as the speed of light?

Everyone fell into deep thought.

No one is mediocre.

Everyone is confident that they can create their own legend in the field of quantum mechanics.

As soon as the meeting started, Lorenz brought the atmosphere to a climax.

At this time, he began to introduce the process of this meeting.

"The name of the Quantum Mechanics Conference indicates that it is a conference with a debate nature."

“Therefore, this meeting will be conducted in the form of camps.”

"First, Heisenberg and Schrödinger each took the stage to present their theories."

"Then, those present can choose the theory they agree with and provide relevant evidence to prove it."

“At the same time, you can also question the other party’s theory and find out your own mistakes.”

"Based on the faction, they can be divided into the Matrix faction, the Wave faction, and the Neutral faction."

Wow!
Such a novel approach aroused the interest of all the bigwigs attending the conference.

This is so exciting.

Finally, Lorenz added with a smile:
"Of course, we don't engage in political factions."

“The so-called division of camps is just to better discuss the problems of quantum mechanics.”

“Although it’s called the Taoism Conference, the core of the conference is Taoism rather than theory.”

"Otherwise, all of us here combined might not be able to win an argument against my wife." Everyone laughed.

The meeting room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

This academic debate is about to begin!
Heisenberg was the first to come on stage.

The long period of attending meetings and giving speeches everywhere has transformed him and he is no longer introverted and nervous.

Even when facing many physics giants, he remained calm and at ease.

"Matrix mechanics is"

Heisenberg began to present his theory in detail.

This time, he was obviously very well prepared.

He also knew that his theory required the use of complex mathematical forms such as matrices.

Therefore, he deliberately tried to reduce unnecessary numbers in the form of expression, striving to achieve a pleasing feeling.

After explaining his theory, Heisenberg threw out his first trump card.

"Dr. Pauli proposed a new 2×2 matrix form based on matrix mechanics."

"Using this form, the phenomenon of electron spin can be better explained."

"I think this is a more superior manifestation of matrix mechanics."

Wow!
Pauli's paper had only been published a short time ago.

It was the first time for some people on the field to know about this and they were all extremely surprised.

Matrix mechanics, which is so obscure and difficult to understand, can actually be optimized.

Pauli looked at everyone with a daze, feeling very proud.

"Basic practice, don't 6."

In this way, matrix mechanics is equivalent to perfectly explaining the four major quantum numbers in the old quantum theory.

This is a big deal and reflects its status.

This even shook some people's positions.

Schrödinger frowned slightly when he heard this.

He knew that the fat boy Pauli had a very good relationship with Heisenberg.

The other party is a complete Matrix person.

Pauli was indeed extremely intelligent.

He was able to learn matrices so well and perfected matrix mechanics.

Schrödinger's heart moved. As expected, one should not take it lightly until the last moment.

Heisenberg was clearly well prepared.

Just when everyone thought Heisenberg's report was over.

He suddenly added:

"In addition, based on the calculation of matrix mechanics, I discovered a very interesting phenomenon."

"Everyone, please take a look."

"This is a spectrum of molecular hydrogen."

"The spectral lines appear alternately strong and weak."

"There is currently no good explanation in academia for this."

"But using matrix mechanics, I discovered that hydrogen molecules exist in two forms."

"Through communication with Professor Debye, I learned that there is a conjecture in chemistry called nuclear isomers."

"As we all know, allotropy is an important concept in chemistry."

“It refers to two or more substances that have the same elements but different structures and properties.”

"For example, graphite and diamond are both made of carbon, but one is soft and the other is hard."

"This is because the carbon atoms are arranged differently in the two substances."

"In 1917, Professor Soddy made a bold conjecture."

“He thought there might be [finer isotopes].”

"What does that mean?"

“That is: the reason for the different properties of matter is not the arrangement of atoms, but the difference in the atomic nuclei.”

"The so-called more refined isotopes actually refer to nuclear isomers."

"However, Professor Soddy did not know at the time how the nuclei of the same type of atoms could differ."

"Therefore, this conjecture has not received much attention since it was published."

“But when I used matrix mechanics to study the spectrum of hydrogen molecules, I found that the nuclei of two hydrogen atoms can couple in two ways.”

"In one type of hydrogen molecule, the two nuclei spin in the same direction."

"In another type of hydrogen molecule, the two nuclei spin in opposite directions."

"This results in a difference in the magnetic moment of the two hydrogen molecules."

"As a result, the properties of the two hydrogen molecules are also different."

"Therefore, the spectrum of hydrogen molecules shows alternations of strong and weak spectral lines."

"I used matrix mechanics to prove Professor Soddy's nuclear isomer hypothesis."

boom!
Heisenberg's achievements stunned everyone!

This is amazing!
Rutherford, in particular, was extremely shocked.

Soddy had been his assistant, so he was well aware of the concept of nuclear isomers.

This is an extremely bold guess.

However, since even the composition of the atomic nucleus is not yet clear, it is undoubtedly a pipe dream to prove this conjecture.

But now, what did he see?
Heisenberg actually used matrix mechanics to directly prove the existence of nuclear isomers theoretically from the perspective of electron spin.

This is too exaggerated!
Rutherford couldn't help asking:

"Heisenberg, did you separate the two types of hydrogen?"

Heisenberg scratched his head awkwardly and said:

"I'm sorry, Professor Rutherford, but chemistry is not my strong point."

“I hope that after this paper is published, some chemist will be able to find these two nuclear isomers of hydrogen.”

Rutherford nodded.

He knew that once this paper was published, the person who would be the happiest would probably be Soddy.

He was also happy for the other party.

This will be another major discovery in the fields of physics and chemistry, changing people's inherent cognition and enriching the connotation of allotropes.

In real history, Heisenberg discovered two types of hydrogen molecules, one is called [orthohydrogen], with the same nuclear spin direction; the other is called [parahydrogen], with the opposite nuclear spin direction.

Separation of the two nuclear isomers is also straightforward.

It can be obtained by cooling ordinary hydrogen with liquid air and then separating it with activated carbon.

The discovery of nuclear isomers opened up a whole new field.

Until later generations, many scientists are still studying the mysteries of nuclear isomers.

Perhaps it has an important connection with the formation of life elements.

At this moment, everyone had to re-examine matrix mechanics.

Although Heisenberg himself did not separate the two nuclear isomers of hydrogen molecules.

However, both mathematical derivation and spectral experiments have proved its correctness.

The bigwigs present firmly believed that nuclear isomers must exist.

Everyone looked at Heisenberg differently.

Planck, Lorenz and others even saw the shadow of Bruce in him.

"It's really a hero out of a boy!"

With such matrix mechanics, who dares to say it is cumbersome?

The old quantum theory cannot explain the existence of nuclear isomers.

Schrödinger is under pressure.

The discussion hadn't really started yet, but the atmosphere was already tense.

(End of this chapter)