1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 26 Questions
On July 1900, 7, Ridgway entered the University of Berlin for the first time.

In later generations, it was also a world-class university, with famous alumni including Karl Marx, Hertz, Schrödinger and others.

Among them, Hertz is the great man who discovered the photoelectric effect.

Like Cambridge University, the University of Berlin does not admit female students.

At that time, universities throughout Europe and the United States basically did not recruit female students, and there were not even any female professorships.

Therefore, the campus also lacks a beautiful landscape.

When Ridgway arrived at the Department of Physics, Planck had been waiting there for a long time with a number of people.

Everyone looked at this talented Cambridge student with curiosity.

Li Qiwei was completely different from the Qing people they imagined, and there was no comparison at all.

He is tall and handsome, has a scholarly air, neither humble nor arrogant, and the most amazing thing about him is his eyes.

The people who were shot at actually showed an unnatural expression, lowered their heads slightly, and dared not look directly at the target.

It was as if the other person saw through him at a glance.

Li Qiwei had a standard smile on his face, and complained in his heart: Anyway, I don’t have any information about you in my mind, which means you are all little Karami, what am I afraid of?

So, amid the cheers of the crowd, he followed Planck into the meeting hall of the Physics Department.

At this moment, the place is filled with special flowers and the air is full of floral fragrance.

It can be seen that Planck and the students of the physics department valued him.

Of course, all this has nothing to do with Planck being the head of the physics department.

After Ridgeway and Planck took their seats, everyone couldn't wait to ask Ridgeway to share information about his paper.

For example, how did he come up with the concept of quantum and how did he come to collaborate with Professor Planck.

Some people also asked questions such as how [quantum mechanics] will develop next.

Most of those present were professors and students from the Department of Physics, and they were of course very curious about Li Qiwei's theory.

If this is true as Lord Kelvin said, then what is the point of them studying physics?

It would be better to study liberal arts and become a great writer.

After everyone gradually calmed down, Li Qiwei began to speak slowly.

He begins with the meeting at the Royal Society in London, describing why he made the bet with Lord Kelvin.

Through Li Qiwei's slightly choked narration, everyone present felt the same way.

Because the unification of Germany also went through countless blood and fire.

They could feel Li Qiwei's genuine love for the nation, so they applauded him.

He then went on to tell about the interesting things that happened at Cambridge University and how he met Professor Planck.

Everyone was amazed at the fate that allowed two unrelated people to meet and create dazzling sparks.

Finally, Ridgway focused on how he thought about the concept of quantum and Professor Planck's mathematical support.

The students present were all envious when they heard this.

They are now racking their brains for graduation and publishing papers, while the guy opposite them is almost becoming a physicist.

However, some people have raised some questions.

A professor asked: "Hello, Bruce, your concept of quantum is still just a hypothesis. Have you ever thought about confirming it through any experiment?"

Li Qiwei replied: "I am working at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, and I am designing an experimental plan with my mentor Professor Thomson."

"As for the specific details, I'm sorry I can't reveal them for now."

Someone else asked, "Bruce, since Professor Planck is your honorary supervisor and the corresponding author of the paper, why do you still want to stay in Cambridge?"

This question made everyone laugh, including Planck, who also looked at Ridgway expectantly. Ridgway touched his chin and said awkwardly, "Well, Professor Planck and Professor Thomson are both people I respect."

“As for choosing to stay in Cambridge, it may be because I’m used to it, but who can say for sure about the future?”

Everyone was impressed by his wit and stopped deliberately making things difficult for him.

Just when the host and the guests were having a great time and the atmosphere was lively, a discordant voice suddenly rang out: "Bruce Lee, I think those mathematical proofs are the key, not the concept of [quantum]."

The room suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at the person who was speaking. They found that it was Schlick, Professor Planck's favorite graduate student.

Sure enough, Planck said apologetically and helplessly: "Sorry, Bruce, Schlick is my graduate student."

Then he scolded Schlick again: "Don't talk nonsense, Schlick, please respect others."

Schlick ignored everyone's gazes, and did not look at Professor Planck's eyes. Instead, he stared at Li Qiwei and continued:

"I read your paper five times and found that the most important thing is the radiation formula: E=hv, which requires superb mathematical skills to obtain."

"As for the concept of [quantum], Professor Planck accidentally mentioned the word 'discontinuous' to me a few months ago."

"I think you should understand what this means?"

"So, Bruce, I don't think your contribution to the paper is very high!"

When Schlick finished speaking, everyone was shocked and silent, and the atmosphere became very awkward.

Li Qiwei took in everyone's expressions, then looked at Schlick and said with a smile: "Schlick, I understand your thoughts."

"You think I'm just an undergraduate who happened to have a good idea and was discovered by Professor Planck."

"Then the professor used his deep mathematical knowledge to perfect the idea and actually created a completely new theory of physics."

"Even this good idea was thought of by Professor Planck before."

Sure enough, after hearing this, Schrick's face changed. This was indeed what he was thinking. He was even a little jealous of Li Qiwei, wondering why he was so lucky.

Ridgway continued: “More than two hundred years ago, Newton and Leibniz argued over who invented calculus.”

"No one thinks they copied anyone because the laws of the universe are there. We are just discoverers of the laws, not creators."

“I’ve never been so arrogant as to think that I’m the only one who can come up with [quantum] concepts.”

"It's just that Professor Planck and I got along really well and hit it off right away, so I asked him to help me improve the mathematics part."

"But I can certainly ask Professor Thomson for help. I think he will be happy to do so."

"So your doubt is invalid. The laws of physics never belong to any one person alone."

"I was just lucky enough to discover [quantum mechanics] with Professor Planck."

When Li Qiwei finished speaking, everyone stood in awe and warm applause broke out in the room.

Everyone was moved by his sincerity, even Planck was very pleased.

He knew that he was not wrong about Li Qiwei, and that the other person's heart was as pure as the sky.

Schlick's face was filled with shame; his impulsive behavior just now made him look very ungentlemanly.

However, Li Qiwei soon came to his rescue.

"Schlick, don't worry about it. Quantum mechanics is just a seedling now. It still has a lot of room to grow."

"The future will definitely belong to us, the younger generation. Let's join the research on new physics!"

"You are Professor Planck's favorite student. I think he would like to see you involved in the new era."

"Let us all laugh at Lord Kelvin."

Li Qiwei's words successfully made everyone laugh, and also made Schrick look at him with gratitude.

Lao Xu asks for follow-up reading and collection~
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(End of this chapter)