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

"I always thought that Easterners believed in souls, but I didn't expect that to be the case," Kafka said.

Li Yu said: "Eastern culture is very profound and has a set of self-consistent and complex logic."

"By the way, I had conceived an article about China before." Kafka said.

"About China?" Li Yu asked.

"Yes," said Kafka, "I am very interested in your Great Wall."

"The Great Wall is worth learning about," Li Yu said. "Whenever you write it down, be sure to send it to me."

Kafka paused for a few seconds and said, "Maybe."

He later did write an article "When the Great Wall of China was Built", but the whole article was very Kafka-like, it felt like an essay, and the writing was quite obscure.

Li Yu suggested to him: "When you have time, you can read Freud's works. You may have a deeper understanding of psychology."

"The psychologist?" Kafka asked.

"Yes, he is also from Austria." Li Yu said.

"Thank you for your advice," Kafka said, and then added, "Also, if you need to buy insurance in Austria-Hungary, remember to contact me."

Li Yu smiled and said, "I remember it too."

After all, Kafka's job is an insurance salesman, but as a time traveler, Li Yu doesn't really need this, because the main purpose of insurance is to prevent the unknown, but Li Yu is not afraid of the "unknown" at all.

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There has been a big event in the physics circle recently: Stark officially released his experimental paper, announcing the Stark effect, as well as some of his explanations.

Simply put, the Stark effect is spectral splitting, which is the category of atomic physics.

Atomic physics and quantum mechanics are closely related, because both are about the microscopic realm.

The main achievement in the physics community in recent years has been in-depth research on atomic physics, so the Stark Effect paper attracted a lot of attention as soon as it was published.

As an experimental physicist, Stark himself is not outstanding in explaining physical theories, so his explanation is basically unnecessary.

The big guys in theoretical physics came to the rescue. Bohr, Einstein, Schwarzschild and others all wanted to provide theoretical explanations.

Planck immediately organized a symposium at the University of Berlin and invited a group of physicists to attend to conduct another study on quantum theory.

Li Yu saw not only Einstein, Bohr, Laue, Schwarzschild and others here, but also Sommerfeld, Born, and Weyl. Anyway, they were all big guys.

Li Yu said with a smile: "It will be really difficult to have such a grand event in the future."

Planck said casually: "Why is it not easy? I have to organize it a few more times."

The two men walked towards them: "Professor Planck, I haven't seen him for a long time."

Planck shook hands with him and said, "Hello, Professor Hazenel."

Hazenel is a professor of theoretical physics at the University of Vienna.

Planck introduced him to Li Yu.

Hazenel said: "Academician Li Yu is the best mathematical scientist today. It is such an honor to meet you."

In fact, Li Yu didn't know him, but the assistant he brought was very familiar to him - Schrödinger!

Schrödinger was two years younger than Bohr and had just graduated from university a few years ago.

He had two tutors at the university, one was responsible for theoretical physics, which was Hazenel in front of him; the other was called Exner, who was responsible for experimental physics.

Schrödinger also focused on experimental physics at first, but as he learned to learn, he discovered that he was terrible at doing experiments but very good at doing theory, so he slowly turned to theoretical physics.

Li Yu shook hands with them and said, "Nice to meet you."

Moreover, Li Yu paid special attention to Schrödinger and said to him: "Hello, Mr. Schrödinger."

Schrödinger wore a pair of round glasses. He didn't expect that the famous Academician Li Yu could call him by his name. He was very surprised: "Mr. Academician, have you seen my doctoral thesis?"

The only reason he could think of was that Li Yu knew his name because he had read his paper.

Li Yu smiled and said: "You have published quite a few papers. I also saw the article on diamagnetism. It is excellent in mathematical methods and theory. However, to solve this problem, you may need to introduce quantum theory."

Schrödinger was even more surprised: "You actually read my doctoral thesis?!"

Li Yu said: "The paper was published in the "Annals of Physics" and I happened to see it."

"What an honor!" Schrödinger said happily, "Thank you, Mr. Academician, for your correction. I will consider studying quantum theory."

Schrödinger became famous relatively late, but it was not too late to become famous in the physics circle. He published several important papers just a few years after graduation.

It is equivalent to publishing seven or eight SCI papers within three years of graduation, and all of them are one work.

Schrödinger's papers basically belong to theoretical physics and have a wide range of research fields.

Li Yu said that he was asked to pay attention to quantum theory, and there was no guidance. Because Schrödinger already had this idea, otherwise he would not come to this meeting.

Overall, Schrödinger did not encounter much resistance academically, and his life was relatively happy. He even used the terminology of his thesis as a love letter to his wife:

"As I know, there must be something else besides Ra-A, B, and C in the atmosphere of Zeheim in the summer of 1913, but my measuring instrument failed to indicate any trace of it. This is because it discovered Miss Bertel of Salzburg, who commanded the author's complete attention."

Miss Bertel, who later became Schrödinger's wife, replied: "He left a deep impression on me, first of all because he was very handsome, he had a very attractive face... and before that I had a deep impression of him. The impression was good because Kohlrausch had introduced him to me.”

Well, handsome...

Beauty is in the eyes of beholder.

Schrödinger's mentor Hazenel said: "Schrödinger's potential is very great. I think he will be able to become a physics professor in a few years, just like the young Mr. Li Yu and Mr. Einstein. And his energy Energetic, not only researching the topics I gave, but now also dabbling in relativity and quantum theory."

Schrödinger was indeed very energetic, with extensive academic research and emotional energy, and he had many lovers.

Einstein was surprised: "So many people want to study the theory of relativity now?"

Schrödinger smiled and said: "I just find it very interesting. In addition, I also did experiments on light quanta." Hazenel said: "Schrödinger has rarely done experiments since he devoted himself to theoretical research."

Einstein agreed: "It is not easy to be strong both experimentally and theoretically."

After everyone was seated, Planck began to preside over the meeting. He said: "It is an honor for you to sit together again to discuss issues about atoms and quantum. This reminds me of Solvay more than two years ago.

"You have already read Mr. Stark's experimental paper, which is an exciting result.

"We can see the progress of experimental physics from the experiment itself. Ten years ago, the discharge tube only had a strength of several hundred volts per centimeter. When Mr. Voight did the experiment, he even used sodium.

"But Mr. Stark's experimental equipment has reached hundreds of thousands of volts per centimeter, and he successfully selected hydrogen element, and only then did he see the splitting of the spectral lines.

"This is a great advance in experimental physics and a challenge to theory."

In fact, even if the hydrogen element is used, it is not easy to see the spectral lines split.

Although Stark, like Leonard, is a pro-sodium crisper and has taken an extreme route, he is indeed very strong in experiments.

After Planck finished speaking, Bohr's next lecture was Bohr's. At present, other big-name figures' papers on the Stark effect have not yet been released. The one worth mentioning is Bohr's paper.

Bohr immediately began studying the theoretical basis behind the Stark effect as soon as Stark published his paper.

Interestingly, it was his mentor Rutherford who suggested Bohr do this.

European physicists, even those who do experiments, are much better theoretically than American experimental physicists. (Millikan is a special case.)

Although Rutherford was not engaged in quantum theory in the strict sense, atomic physics was a subject that had countless connections with quantum theory, and he could foresee the importance of the Stark effect.

Bohr was good at theory and quickly wrote a paper.

At this time Bohr said: "According to my energy level model, the spectrum of the hydrogen atom can be explained... Then considering the influence of the electric field on the spectrum, the electron orbit of the hydrogen atom can be changed from a circle to an ellipse..."

Bohr listed several long formulas on the blackboard, "After mathematical derivation, the splitting effect of the electric field on the energy levels can be obtained."

Bohr had good mathematical skills. After he finished speaking, many people did not immediately refute him.

Li Yu had sharp eyes and said: "But according to your theory, it does not completely correspond to the experimental results, and it cannot explain why the spectral lines split into so many lines."

Einstein nodded: "That's true."

Bohr said: "This has reached the limit of what I can do, and there is nothing I can do further."

Schrödinger whispered: "With the existing theory, it may be difficult to break through."

Li Yu smiled and said: "Don't be so quiet, Mr. Schrödinger, you are right. Quantum theory is different from other theories. I think many people underestimate the depth of quantum theory. Everyone thinks it is a problem that can be overcome in a short period of time. But experiments have proven that the inside of an atom is a very huge world, and the physical principles it contains may not be less than macrophysics. However, we always want to use one theory to summarize the quantum and microscopic world. Perhaps this path itself is wrong. of."

Li Yu's speech immediately caused a sensation.

"How can the macroscopic world be so vast if atoms are so small?" Schrödinger's mentor Hazenel said, "I think our theory cannot explain atoms clearly, just because the contact time is too short."

Li Yu said: "I once heard a saying, one flower and one Bodhi, one leaf and one world. If the angle is different, the micro can also be the macro, and there may be so many physical laws contained in it."

Planck thought for a moment and said: "Academician Li Yu thinks about physics from a philosophical perspective, and I still agree with this point of view."

Although he didn't completely agree, Planck vaguely felt that what he said made sense.

To be honest, the development of physics over the years has been relatively smooth. However, after two dark clouds appeared, things suddenly became out of control, and it seemed as if the physics building was shattered by lightning struck by these two dark clouds.

If you think about it carefully, there is indeed something wrong with what Li Yu said.

Einstein said: "Academician Li Yu, what do you think causes so many incredible things in atoms?"

Li Yu said astonishingly: "I think we haven't even completely lifted the veil of the secret of the atom. We just saw the mysterious spectrum and rays emitted under the veil, and we were already so busy that we were confused; and then based on these spectral rays, we guessed the theory of the atom." Base."

"It's interesting," Einstein said. "Mr. Li Yu, how far do you think we have explored atoms?"

Li Yu said: "If we compare it to macroscopic Newtonian mechanics, I think we may not even fully understand Newton's three laws now."

"You haven't even figured out the laws of mechanics?" Laue couldn't accept it. Li Yu's words were too hurtful.

"Yes," Li Yu continued, "Mr. Rutherford's experiments have shown that the interior of an atom is extremely empty. The volume of the nucleus is only a few hundred billion times that of an atom, but its mass accounts for 99.96% of the atom. For conventional In terms of physics, it is very incredible. Because according to this ratio, the density of the atomic nucleus will be extremely large, reaching one hundred billion tons per cubic meter! The existing theory cannot explain it. What is even more frightening is that this is only the most basic appearance. "

What Li Yu said was true, and it was really shocking.

"From a physical perspective, this is just a guess," Schwarzschild said.

"This is the fact. Mr. Rutherford's experiment has been repeated countless times," Li Yu said. "And the universe is so big, there may be such dense objects."

"Impossible!" Schwarzschild said, "This density will not allow any atomic matter to exist, let alone huge celestial bodies."

Einstein suddenly thought of his own field equations, and seemed to have an idea. However, mathematical difficulties soon blocked his physical thinking, and his mind was still foggy.

Li Yu said: "I said it is only composed of atomic nuclei..."

"But that would lose the charge balance and violate the basic laws of physics." Bohr also retorted.

Li Yu said slowly: "Have you forgotten how beta rays come from?"

Bohr opened his mouth and said in horror: "Beta rays are electrons, they come from the nucleus..."

Li Yu laughed and dug a big hole for them.

Everyone began to discuss quietly with the people on both sides, taking out pens and paper to write and draw, but they couldn't figure it out at all, and there was no theory that could explain it.

Of course they couldn't understand.

Nowadays, physics has not even reached the level of atomic nuclei. We don’t even know about protons, let alone neutrons.

As for the beta rays emitted from the nucleus, this hole is the biggest because it involves neutrinos, which was not slowly understood until 20 years later.

Li Yu had been quite restrained and the questions he asked were sharp but not many, but they were enough for them to digest for a long time.

It's just that in the next four years, because of the First World War, I'm afraid everyone will not have a good appetite, and they will be tortured by these problems for a long, long time.