1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 527: The Power of Wave Mechanics! Atoms are illusions of electron wave diffraction! Verbal sparring! The discussion begins!
Heisenberg's report shocked everyone.

A good physics theory should not only explain existing problems, but also predict unknown phenomena.

Clearly, this is the case with finding nuclear isomers via matrix mechanics.

Although the old quantum theory system accommodates electron spin, it is impossible to describe the spin of the atomic nucleus.

Because everything in the old quantum theory is centered on electrons and describes the state and behavior of electrons.

Matrix mechanics is a more basic theoretical system, which is applicable not only to electrons but also to all microscopic particles.

Therefore, although the atomic nucleus is thousands of times larger than the electron, it is also a microscopic particle and can be included in the framework of matrix mechanics.

Therefore, Heisenberg was able to theoretically prove the existence of nuclear spin and thus discover the nuclear isomers of the hydrogen molecule.

This is the superiority of the theory.

The latest research in later generations has found that even at the macromolecular level, matter still has quantum effects.

The dividing line from the quantum range to the macroscopic range is difficult to define precisely.

It's like the philosophical question of how many grains of sand must be piled together to form a desert.

Of course, it is still in the early stages of the development of quantum mechanics, and the bigwigs have not yet considered this situation.

At this moment, Schrödinger looked at Heisenberg. Even though the other party was his opponent, he admired him from the bottom of his heart.

Today his wave mechanics is the mainstream in the physics community.

When people study quantum mechanics and publish papers, they all use the wave equation.

Under such circumstances, Heisenberg was still able to tap into the potential of matrix mechanics, which amazed him.

In terms of pure mathematical and physical abilities, Heisenberg's hard power definitely surpasses his.

However, although Schrödinger felt a little pressure inside, he looked calm on the surface.

"My wave mechanics aren't bad either!"

At this time, Lorenz's voice sounded:
"Now, please invite Dr. Schrodinger to come to the stage to report."

Schrödinger straightened his appearance again and strode forward.

As he passed Heisenberg, it was as if a spark of thunder exploded.

An unparalleled sharp light flashed from the eyes of both of them at the same time!

come on!

Schrödinger nodded slightly to everyone and began his speech.

“The wave equation is established by analogy on the basis of matter waves.”

"Hamilton had long ago compared mechanics and optics."

"For example, the principle of the shortest distance traveled by light in optics and the principle of least action in mechanics are very similar."

"Since mechanics and optics are similar, and matter has wave properties, then there will naturally be wave optics."

"."

At such a high-level conference, Schrödinger couldn't just say that his wave equation was put together by inspiration.

So, he had to come up with a theoretical paradigm.

Just like how Professor Bruce found inspiration from the Tai Chi diagram before.

The comparison between optics and mechanics is a very good thinking process.

Throughout history, many physicists have done work in this area.

However, Schrödinger's theory is obviously not that simple.

At this time, he continued:
"With the contrast between light and force, and through wave mechanics, we can explain a problem that we take for granted."

At this point, Schrödinger smiled slightly, glanced at everyone, and said mysteriously:
“Why is the diameter of an atom on the order of 10^-10 meters?”

Wow!
Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

What is the problem?
The diameter of an atom is measured experimentally, just like the speed of light.

Maybe someone has asked why the speed of light is 3×10^8 meters per second.

But there will definitely be no answer.

That's how the world works and is ruled.

And now, Schrödinger's problem means something similar.

However, those present today are all big names and geniuses in physics.

This kind of problem
What's the point?

No one thinks Schrödinger would do this on purpose.

There must be some unique thinking behind this.

Everyone suddenly became extremely curious.

Li Qiwei smiled slightly and felt it was very interesting.

He hadn't thought about this problem either.

He sighed in his heart.

"Sure enough, these famous leaders in history have different thinking from ordinary people."

“If you think you understand these big guys just by looking at a few formulas and results, you are totally wrong.”

At this moment, Li Qiwei felt that it was a wise choice for him to personally experience the establishment process of quantum mechanics.

The theoretical achievements of these top geniuses are nothing compared to their own thinking!
If we only focus on existing theories, we are putting the cart before the horse.

The thoughts of geniuses are the most precious treasures in the history of science!
However, Heisenberg disagreed.

"Humph, you're trying to be mysterious!"

As everyone watched, Schrödinger continued:
"In his paper, de Broglie gave an example of calculating the wavelength of electrons."

"If an electron is accelerated by a potential difference of 200V, its wavelength is 8.7×10^-11 meters."

"According to the matter wave formula λ=h/p, if the electron's speed is reduced, its wavelength will become longer."

"Therefore, it is possible that the wavelength of an electron is of the same order of magnitude as the diameter of an atom."

"I don't think this is a coincidence or some special hypothesis."

"From wave mechanics, if we combine the concepts of interference and diffraction with atomic size, we get a completely new explanation."

"Atoms are not real particles. They are just illusions created by the interference and diffraction superposition that occurs when the atomic nucleus captures the electron wave!"

"Using wave mechanics, we can explain the nature of the existence of atoms!"

boom!
Everyone in the house was shocked!

Everyone was stunned by Schrödinger's bold idea!
This is too wild!

"Oh, God!"

"Are all the people trained by Professor Bruce so incredible?"

"This idea is too horrifying!"

In the famous Poisson experiment, after light is diffracted by the disk, a halo area is formed, which is actually the diffraction area.

What Schrödinger meant was that atoms are like halos produced by diffraction of light.

Therefore, it does not really exist, but is just the external manifestation of waves.

This view completely overturns all existing atomic theories.

Thinking hard!
Li Qiwei was deeply touched when he heard this.

Schrödinger's ideas were too advanced.

In later cutting-edge physics research, there was indeed no concept of atoms.

An atom is just a system consisting of a nucleus and electrons.

It is not the small ball we imagine, with clear boundaries.

Not only atoms, but even electrons themselves do not have the shape that humans imagine.

Although we now know that atoms are composed of nuclei and electrons.

However, there is still no consensus in the physics community on the nature of atoms.

Schrödinger's view was undoubtedly a huge shock.

Einstein and Rutherford were the atomic masters on the field.

The former is good at theory, while the latter is good at experiments.

They were all shocked by Schrödinger's analysis.

Because many existing theories and experimental results show that in certain circumstances, an atom is indeed a ball.

There is mass and there is momentum.

In statistical mechanics, atoms can be treated as individual balls;
In atomic experiments, various particles and rays can be used to bombard atoms.

All these prove that atoms exist in reality.

It’s just that existing theories cannot describe what form this existence takes.

Perhaps there is a thin film outside the atom, or perhaps the atom itself is made up of more sophisticated substances.

However, Schrödinger's electron wave diffraction illusion directly broke this conclusion.

"The atom no longer exists!"

This made Rutherford feel like the sky was falling!

Although this was just a guess, it deeply shocked everyone.

Unbelievable! Heisenberg's face suddenly looked a little unhappy.

Wave mechanics is favored because of its simplicity.

Now, Schrödinger, like himself, has used his theory to produce completely new results.

However, Heisenberg remained confident.

The discussion hasn't really begun yet.

He prepared some tricky questions that were difficult to explain using wave mechanics.

At this time, Lorenz smiled and said:

“Thank you Dr. Schrodinger for the wonderful report.”

Schrodinger nodded at him and walked to his seat.

Lorenz was deeply moved.

The shock these two young men brought to him was not because of the advantages of their respective theories.

Rather, it is the kind of innovative ideas that are ready to emerge and flourish.

It reminded him of his younger days.

"That state of vitality and all things competing is still before our eyes."

Lorentz did not expect that after Bruce, there would be such a brilliant collision of ideas in the physics world.

What a wonderful experience!

He glanced casually towards Li Qiwei.

He wondered if the famous Professor Bruce would also show a look of nostalgia and envy when faced with such a talented young man.

However, when he saw Li Qiwei's expression, he was suddenly shocked!
"Oh my God! What kind of look is that?"

At this moment, in Lorenz's eyes, Li Qiwei had transformed into an indescribable existence.

Only a pair of eyes are captivating.

In his left eye, the matrix flickers;
His right eye was rippling.

The two blend together like water and milk, outlining the shape of truth!

Wow!
Lorenz rubbed his eyes quickly, and when he looked again, he found that everything was normal.

Only the other party responded with a charming smile.

He was so shocked that it took him a while to recover.

"What on earth was that just now?"

When the sound of discussion in the conference room reached his ears, Lorenz finally came back to reality.

He stopped thinking about the terrible scene that had just happened.

The meeting continues.

"Schrodinger and Heisenberg, please both of you come up together."

"Next, we will officially enter the question-and-answer session!"

“It starts with each side asking questions.”

Upon hearing this, the two stood up from their seats, walked to the front of the stage at the same time, and stood opposite each other.

It has the atmosphere of a duel.

Lorenz smiled and said:

"Who's going to start?"

Schrodinger smiled and gestured with his hand.

He was several years older than Heisenberg, so of course he had to be more graceful.

Heisenberg did not hesitate and asked directly:

"Dr. Schrödinger, I have a question about your wave equation."

"Everyone, please look, this is the expression of the wave equation."

(Send it again, so you don’t have to look back at it)

"According to the viewpoint of wave mechanics, the wave function ψ in the equation represents the change of the state of the electron wave over time and space."

"However, there is an imaginary number i in this equation."

"We know that i is a parameter with no physical meaning."

"So, the solution ψ to the wave equation cannot be measured, and it has no real physical meaning."

"So, how can a wave function that has no physical meaning represent and describe electron waves?"

"After all, according to the view of wave mechanics, electron waves are a real existence."

Schrödinger smiled and replied immediately:
"That's right, ψ itself doesn't mean anything."

"But the square of its modulus |ψ| represents the charge density distribution function at the time t, position r."

"In other words, ψ carries information about the charge density."

“The wave nature of electrons is reflected in the spatial charge density distribution.”

"The charge e of an electron multiplied by |ψ| represents the charge density at a certain place at a certain time."

Having said that, Schrödinger began to demonstrate the calculation directly.

His advantage of having a wide range of previous interests came to the fore.

He can easily master various electromagnetic equations.

"You can see that if |ψ| represents the charge density distribution function, then we can deduce the Zeeman effect and the GKY effect very simply."

"These are the two most typical effects of hydrogen atoms, and their essence is actually related to charge density."

Wow!
Everyone was shocked.

Schrödinger's explanation of the wave function gave them an indescribable feeling.

Although it is awkward, it seems to be right.

After all, according to the other party's definition, the Zeeman effect and other problems can be perfectly explained.

In real history, Schrödinger's explanation of the wave function was extremely complicated.

A lot of knowledge about electromagnetism is used in it.

For example, dipole moment, current continuity equation, etc.

Most importantly, his theory is very self-consistent and can explain many existing phenomena.

Therefore, Schrödinger never accepted Born's probabilistic interpretation until his death.

He has always been convinced that his views are correct.

Heisenberg was shocked.

He didn't expect that the question he had carefully prepared would be resolved so easily.

At this time, he asked again:

"You said particles are made of waves. How can waves carry electric charge?"

Schrödinger countered:

"Is there any evidence that only particles can carry electric charge?"

Heisenberg was speechless.

The problem of electric charge is still a major mystery in the physics community.

People can use electric charge to do various things.

But there is no definitive answer as to its nature.

No one knows how tiny electrons carry electric charge.

Heisenberg sensed Schrödinger's difficulty.

This is an extremely powerful opponent.

Although he doesn't like wave dynamics, he will never think that the opponent is a loser.

It seems that there is no need to ask some of the questions I prepared before.

It certainly wouldn’t be a problem for Schrödinger.

Heisenberg had no choice but to use his trump card.

He then asked:

“How do we explain that wave mechanics cannot deduce electron spin?”

Wow!
Everyone exclaimed again.

They didn't expect Heisenberg to ask this difficult question so quickly.

It seems that the other party was impressed by Schrödinger's strength.

Ordinary questions are meaningless in front of these two geniuses.

Everyone looked at Schrödinger again.

Has he figured out the answer to this fatal question?
In real history, Schrödinger and Heisenberg were the strongest people after Niu Aimei. So I described them as a little bit awesome.

Of course, they still have to worship that domineering figure in the end.

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(End of this chapter)