A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 48
Austria, University of Vienna.

Boltzmann returned to his office with heavy steps. Today's inductive philosophy class was not successful. The students below whispered and paid no attention to it, and even interrupted his lecture on atomic theory at one point.

No way, who told him that he had a disagreement with Mach, and he replaced him in class. Most of the students below are supporters of Mach's theory, and they don't believe in Boltzmann's theory at all.

Now his mental state is very poor, his theory is not fully recognized by many people in Europe, and he can't take advantage of the debate with Mach.

Mach's position in the entire scientific community at that time was already very prominent, and military fans of later generations must know him, because the speed unit of the aircraft is named after him.There is also the "Mach ring" that will appear behind the rocket engine or the supersonic ramjet.In the flight picture of the J-20 engine, there is a string of very bright Mach rings at the tail.

It can be said that this thing is a symbol of the defense industry, and it is clear that it is telling others not to mess with me.

Mach is a very special physicist. Although he recognized Boltzmann's academic ability, he opposed the atomic theory that Boltzmann insisted on.

In fact, not only atoms, Mach even opposed many of the most basic concepts of physics such as molecules, fields, and forces.

Of course, everyone now knows that these are all correct, but it was true that there was no atomic model at that time, and there were many scientists who did not recognize the existence of atoms. After all, let alone unobservable, there was not even much experimental evidence.

Although the Boltzmann equation is now regarded as one of the top ten equations in physics, his status in later generations can also be said to be recognized as a super master in thermodynamics and statistical physics, and he is a man among men.But at that time, his theory was indeed not recognized for a long time, and he also suffered from severe depression. According to the historical trajectory, Boltzmann would choose to commit suicide to end his life after 4 years.

Boltzmann sat slumped in a chair, desperately restraining his emotions, when he suddenly saw a letter from the Royal Society on the table.

He wasn't quite sure why Britain's top scientific body was writing to him.After opening it, the first thing I saw was President Huggins' personal letter:

"Dear Professor Boltzmann. With all due respect to interrupting your work, we have just received a very interesting paper in which the atomic theory and your equations are used to make a careful derivation, and at the same time, the principle of entropy increase is microcosmic. Double extension with macro. We know that you are the real authority on statistical mechanics, so we hope you can review and comment on this paper."

Boltzmann's eyes flickered.

Atomism!Also used my own equation!

He immediately took out Li Yu's thesis in the envelope, and after reading it, the haze was swept away from his heart.

bosom friend!Absolute bosom friend!
There is actually someone who can understand his own theory so thoroughly and use his own equations so skillfully, and his writing seems to be enshrining his own equations as a standard, and the basis of derivation is based on the equations.

Boltzmann's hands trembled a little, and even the circles of his eyes began to get a little moist.

But there was a hint of worry in his heart. He had already received too much criticism for this, and he was a little worried that the author of the article would also be slandered by other opponents.

Boltzmann looked at the author's name, Li Yu?He had never heard of this person, and Huggins' letter only mentioned that he was a scholar from the Qing Dynasty in the far east.

Qing Dynasty?
Boltzmann still clearly remembered the crimes committed by the Eight-Power Allied Forces against this ancient eastern country two years ago, and even his own motherland, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also participated in the war.

He was against war, but he could not prevent war.

At this moment, I really can't imagine that there is such an outstanding scientific research scholar in a dilapidated country that was almost destroyed. This scholar must suffer more pain than me!
No!

Boltzmann secretly made up his mind that he would firmly defend his bosom friend whom he had never met but who was extremely recognized.

Anyway, I am already old, almost 60 years old, if there are any criticisms, please come to me!
Boltzmann suddenly rejuvenated the will to fight. Since he was not fighting alone, let the dying old man be a vanguard for a young man in a dying country!

He picked up the pen on the table, spread out the manuscript paper, and quickly wrote a reply:

"Dear President Huggins: Thank you very much for allowing me to read such a high-level paper. I can say with great certainty that this is a masterpiece of genius! The theory in the paper is so solid and the deduction is so meticulous , The calculation is so beautiful! I am deeply shocked!

"You said that you want me to review the article, but I want to say yes, it is actually the author of the article—this Mr. Li Yu is reviewing my theory, and even the entire thermodynamics!
"I sincerely hope that his article can be published, and I attach my humble name to support it. Although it may cause opposition from many people, I hope they know that this is real science!"

After writing the letter, Boltzmann suddenly smiled heartily, what a rare joy today!
President Huggins soon received a reply and read the letter with Lord Kelvin.

After reading it, Lord Kelvin said: "It can be so highly praised. Since Boltzmann said that there is no problem, I have nothing to say, let's publish it!"

President Huggins nodded, called Jolsen, the editor of his "Proceedings of Natural Science", handed him the paper, and said, "We will start typesetting and printing today, and print 2000 more copies!"

Jorsen said in surprise, "But President, we don't have enough articles in this issue."

President Huggins said: "It doesn't matter, if there are no other articles, this paper will be published as a special issue, and a reply letter from Professor Boltzmann will also be brought."

Lord Kelvin said: "If the number of articles is not enough, I can also write a preface for this paper to make up for you."

The editor Jorsen was shocked: "Your lord, you want to write the preface yourself?"

Lord Kelvin smiled and said, "Why, am I not qualified enough?"

"No, no, no! It would be great if you were the one to introduce me!"

President Huggins also handed Boltzmann's personal letter to the editor Jolsen, and said: "In addition, you should send letters to the Edinburgh Review, Review of Physics, and Annals of Physics at the same time, if they wish If you reprint it, just send us a letter to invite us directly."

Good guy, President Huggins once pointed out several famous scientific magazines in Europe at that time, among which "Physical Annals" was even the magazine where Einstein published the theory of relativity in 3 three years later.

(End of this chapter)