Chapter 426 Four major directions of cutting-edge physics! Professor Bruce dominates everything!
The year 1920 is a year worth looking forward to in the physics community.
Because this year, two major things will happen.
The first thing is the second Physics Olympiad to be held in London, England, in July.
It can be said that the popularity of this competition surpassed that of the first one, and even reached a crazy level.
Because the first Olympiad was held during the war, everything was kept simple.
Coupled with the lack of experience, there must be many omissions.
Now, the UK has made full preparations and strives to build the Olympiad into the most powerful science competition that has shocked the world.
At the same time, Britain and Germany are bound to win the team and individual gold medals this time.
This is a battle of national honor!
The second event is the Astronomy Debate of the Century to be held in the United States on April 26.
You asked me how this is obviously a matter of astronomy, but it has become a major matter of physics.
No way, although astronomy is not a subsidiary of physics, physicists have always treated it as their younger brother.
Newton's law of universal gravitation, coupled with Ridgway's general theory of relativity, has injected indelible physical genes into astronomy.
Even the chairman of the federation is a physicist, which shows.
This debate initiated by Ridgway went through fierce quarrels among many big figures in the International Astronomical Union.
In the end, because Professor Hale from the United States had the loudest voice, he won and successfully won the right to host the debate.
This world-famous debate of the century will be held at the American National Museum of Natural History in New York City.
By then, astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts from all over the world will find ways to participate.
The above two incidents are world-class sensational news, attracting the attention of countless people.
Many people in the field of physics are extremely concerned.
However, the top guys in physics are concerned about the most cutting-edge issues in their field.
The Third Bruce Conference is about to be held, and the Iron Throne is back.
A bloody storm in the field of physics has begun.
All physicists are desperately trying to solve their own problems in an attempt to become famous and receive an invitation from Professor Bruce.
The past two conferences have proven that only truly original and sensational results can have a chance.
This is a cruel battle, and even geniuses can only look up to it.
Therefore, even the big guys dare not slack off and can only work hard.
A good research direction can undoubtedly greatly increase the probability of producing research results.
Quantum Research Institute, conference room on the first floor.
Ridgway held a small lecture to analyze current trends in physics.
He was also inspired by Schrödinger's resume and felt that it was necessary to give everyone a training.
Many people actually have scientific talents, but because they have no guide, their talents are wasted on useless things.
No matter what your personal abilities are, you must at least understand what the overall framework of cutting-edge physics looks like, how it will develop in the future, etc.
For doctoral students like Irena, direction is more important than process.
What she needs to master is a higher scientific research perspective, rather than being limited to repeatedly improving experimental skills.
Likewise, for Schrödinger, being a laboratory assistant within the Quantum Institute also required having a big-picture view.
Otherwise, how to better tutor Professor Bruce in his work.
In addition to people from the institute, several other groups of people also came to this small lecture.
For example, Gregory brought the editors of Nature to broaden his horizons.
As an editor, you may not be very strong, but you must have a broad vision in order to do a good job in editing.
There are also scholars from the Greenwich Observatory and so on.
Li Qiwei is very welcoming to this. The purpose of his teaching is to like to share and be good at sharing.
If a person's point of view cannot be understood by the listener, it means that he has not thought clearly.
This is the meaning of sharing. It is not only beneficial to others, but also to sort out your own knowledge structure.
Eddington took in the light of the Greenwich Observatory and came to listen to the report.
The debate of the century in April has little to do with him. After all, he studies stars, not the large-scale galaxies of the universe.
After learning that Professor Bruce was also studying stars, Eddington became a frequent visitor to the Quantum Institute.
He even became very familiar with Schrödinger.
Although Eddington's reputation at this time was much higher than that of Schrödinger, he did not underestimate this young man.
How could the person selected by Professor Bruce as a scientific research assistant be just an ordinary person?
There is definitely something special about the other party.
"Dr. Schrödinger, I heard that you are mainly studying quantum theory now?"
Facing Eddington, who was 5 years older than him, Schrödinger showed great respect.
Because the other party risked his life and used a total solar eclipse to prove the bending of starlight, he has become a legend in the scientific community.
If he hadn't come to the Quantum Research Institute, he would never have had the chance to talk to such a big shot.
"Yes, Professor Eddington."
"Professor Bruce gave me a lot of guidance in research directions."
When Eddington heard this, he suddenly felt envious.
"Come on, Schrödinger."
"Your name will definitely be in the future field of physics."
Schrödinger smiled. Although the other person was an astronomy expert, he was still very happy to receive such encouragement.
Soon, Li Qiwei's report officially began, and the two people quickly stopped talking and listened carefully.
"Current physics, from a broad perspective, has four most cutting-edge directions."
"They are relativity, quantum theory, atomic science, and astrophysics."
"Let's look at the theory of relativity first."
"Strictly speaking, only one of the five predictions of general relativity has been successfully verified."
"That's the bending of starlight verified by Eddington."
Eddington obviously felt the attention of everyone, but he seemed very peaceful and without pride.
"As for Schwarzschild's theoretical solution to the existence of black holes, this kind of celestial body has not yet been discovered in astronomy."
"So actually this prediction cannot be considered successful."
"In addition, I know that Hubble is observing the starry sky through the most advanced telescope in the United States."
"He wanted to prove the expansion of the universe."
"This prediction is many times larger than the data required for starlight bending."
Eddington nodded.
He and Hubble had long become close friends, and the two communicated frequently.
Eddington knew that his research on the expansion of the universe was at a critical stage.
The data Hubble needs to process is at least on the order of hundreds of thousands, which far exceeds the bending of starlight.
Once a breakthrough is made, it will definitely be a world-shaking result.
"Therefore, general relativity remains the mainstream of current research."
"And what is inextricably related to it is astrophysics."
"For example, the Great Debate of the Century to be held in April actually falls within the scope of astrophysics."
"The various theories used, such as spectral analysis, pulse calculations, etc., are all part of physics."
"In addition, there is the stellar evolution topic that I have been studying recently, which is actually an extension of physics."
"I will probably publish my first astronomy paper this year."
Wow!
Li Qiwei's tone of voice was very calm, but it was like thunder in everyone's ears. Especially Eddington, his eyes widened instantly.
"Oh, God, Professor Bruce has achieved results so quickly?"
"Has he discovered the secret of stellar energy, or figured out its internal structure?"
Eddington found it incredible when he thought about it. This was too exaggerated.
Professor Bruce has just started studying astronomy not long ago.
Is there really such a talent in the world?
Eddington suddenly felt that compared with Professor Bruce, he was no different from trash.
At this time, Schrödinger suddenly asked a question.
Although he has only been here a short time, he has already fallen in love with it.
Because Professor Bruce advocates an atmosphere of equality and free academic communication.
Anyone can ask any question without worrying about the identity of the other person.
For example, Irena often came to him to discuss problems, which helped Schrödinger regain his confidence.
"Professor, you said astronomy is an extension of physics."
"Does this have something to do with your choice to study astronomy?"
"After all, in my opinion, perhaps chemistry and biology need your participation more."
After hearing this, Li Qiwei smiled slightly.
"Haha, it doesn't hurt to tell you a little bit in advance."
"Although my paper is in the field of astronomy, it uses the knowledge of atomic science."
"This is why I want to give today's lecture."
"Since Newton, science has developed for hundreds of years and is no longer independent of each other."
"Physics affects chemistry, and chemistry affects biology. There is me among you, and you among me."
"As scientists, our research direction must be specific, but what we understand must be very comprehensive."
"For example, a chemist who studies crystalline materials will have difficulty making achievements if he does not know the knowledge of X-rays."
"The disciplines are complementary to each other."
"This is the same even within physics."
"No matter how huge the celestial body is, it is still composed of atoms, so certain theories of atomic science can definitely be applied to celestial bodies."
"By studying celestial bodies, it may be beneficial to atomic science."
"Chemistry and biology have less reference significance for these directions."
"This is the biggest reason why I chose astronomy."
Wow!
At this moment, everyone present realized Professor Bruce's intention.
It turns out that he had such a deep-seated reason for becoming the president of the International Astronomical Union.
Many people think that astronomy is just their hobby, but that is just a humble statement.
Professor Bruce is taking a broader path.
He wants to learn from the strengths of others and integrate them all.
Schrödinger felt the difference between himself and the big brother.
He studies different directions, which are truly independent and different topics that have nothing to do with each other.
However, Professor Bruce integrates all systems from a systematic level and uses them for his own use.
This realm was far beyond Schrödinger's reach.
Of course, it's useless for him to be envious, because this requires an extremely keen physical perspective.
Otherwise, how would you know that the contents of atomic science are crucial to astronomy?
The reverse is also true.
To put it bluntly, this is exclusive to top physics masters and cannot be played by ordinary people.
At this moment, Schrödinger realized how precious today's lecture was.
Listening to your words is worth ten years of reading!
Looking at everyone's shocked looks, Li Qiwei continued:
"Next comes quantum theory."
"Without a doubt, it remains the most mysterious theory alive."
"The fourth quantum number has not been discovered until now, or it may not exist at all."
"But the anomalous Zeeman effect is just there, waiting for physicists to explain it."
"In addition, the wave-particle duality of light also needs to be included in the system of quantum theory."
"Explain the essence of wave-particle duality from a quantum perspective."
"I personally am also re-examining quantum theory, which currently has a huge problem."
"Everyone should know that it is clearly studying unconventional objects such as quantum, but it uses the concepts of classical physics."
"The incongruity in this is the starting point of my thinking."
"I think quantum theory should be viewed from a more essential and higher perspective."
Only Eddington, Schrödinger and a few other people present could understand these words.
Because it’s so profound.
Of course, they can only understand and have no opinions at all.
"Finally, there's atomic science."
"Professor Rutherford's discovery of the proton made atomic science the hottest field in current experimental physics."
"At least as far as I know, almost all countries are studying atomic nuclei now, hoping to find so-called neutrons."
"Our Irena also has this ambition."
Irena in the crowd suddenly felt a little embarrassed when she heard her name.
She had previously made bold statements to Li Qiwei, saying that she must be the first to discover the existence of neutrons and vindicate Uncle Bruce's theory.
But after studying for a period of time, she felt that she was a bit young.
It is indeed not that simple for Professor Rutherford to cause a sensation.
Atomic experiments are too difficult to do.
You can imagine how difficult it is to study an existence that humans cannot see through a microscope.
"Atoms is almost the foundation of quantum theory."
"Its development will inevitably have an important impact on quantum theory in the future."
"So, although my research institute is called Quantum Research Institute."
"But that doesn't mean it only studies quantum theory."
"Physics is a large system. If you want to achieve the most important results, you must be good at finding the connections between things."
At this moment, everyone suddenly discovered a terrible fact.
Those are the four most cutting-edge directions of physics mentioned above, and Professor Bruce is involved in all of them.
And it's not just a simple attempt, the other party has achieved the ultimate and pinnacle in every field.
How great and incredible this is.
There was a feeling of insignificance in all of them.
Finally, Li Qiwei concluded:
"These four major directions are not all of physics."
"There may be new research areas emerging, so you should always remain in awe."
Sure enough, it didn't take long.
A letter from Germany made the physics world boil!
(End of chapter)