Chapter 53 Graduation Thesis
On the afternoon of January 2, Li Qiwei found Professor Case and wanted to ask him to be his mentor and confirm graduation matters.
Although he often goes to Cavendish, he is still a student of Trinity College after all. When it comes to graduation, he can only find professors in this college.
The graduation time for undergraduates at Cambridge University is generally at the end of June, but students must submit their graduation thesis in January, wait for review, and then conduct a defense.
Similar to China, after students present their research results, their tutors or other professors will ask questions. After passing the defense, the school will award a degree.
Unlike other students who are now racking their brains and trembling, Professor Case is the one who is nervous about Li Qiwei's graduation defense.
"Bruce, don't make your graduation thesis too abstruse, otherwise I won't even be able to understand it, and it will become a joke to Trinity College."
Li Qiwei couldn't laugh or cry, "Professor Case, don't worry, my graduation thesis is based on some thoughts on the photoelectric effect and does not involve new research."
After saying that, he handed over the written thesis, which was enough. More than 50 pages, which he wrote while Wang Luyao and others were here.
Professor Case took the heavy paper, opened the title page, and saw the title: "Some Thoughts on the Wave and Particle Nature of Light."
He nodded slightly. Yes, the topic was understandable. The nature of light has been discussed for hundreds of years. It was a good topic. Now I can feel at ease.
Then he said: "That's good, your thesis review will be exempted, and you should prepare well for your defense in June."
"Dean Sanders wants you to The graduation defense should be more grand and become a model for Trinity College, which will help improve the reputation and enrollment."
Li Qiwei was stunned and asked, "Professor, what is the specific format?"
Professor Case said casually: "Oh, teachers and students from Oxford University, University College London, Glasgow University, Manchester University and other schools will be invited to come over and listen to your graduation defense together."
"As for Cambridge University, I guess more than half of the teachers and students will participate. Who makes you known as the number one genius in physics now?" Professor Case winked mischievously.
Li Qiwei was stunned after hearing this. He originally thought that the defense was just a formality, but he didn't expect to be treated as a mascot again.
And that first genius, I don’t know what the tabloids said, they just put him on the fire.
His future mentor, Thomson, discovered electrons and denied the theory that "atoms cannot be divided again", breaking the "atomic theory" that had dominated the West for 200 years. With such an achievement, no one calls him the first genius.
There are also radioactivity, X-rays, etc., which are all epoch-making discoveries.
My own theory has not yet fermented over time and cannot reach that level. Besides, there is no end to physics, and arrogance is the worst thing to avoid. It seems that someone is trying to make a fuss.
But Li Qiwei could stay awake and didn't think much about it.
As for Sanders' approach, Li Qiwei can actually understand him. After all, he will be a member of the Cavendish Laboratory after graduation, which is equivalent to a different college. Sanders must be looking for ways to squeeze out the remaining value from him.
This old guy has poor academic ability, but he is very proficient in administrative methods and human nature. No wonder he can become the dean.
However, Li Qiwei didn't care. He had survived the quantum theory conference, so he was still afraid of a small undergraduate defense. I'm afraid the audience would be trembling by then.
After confirming his graduation matters, Li Qiwei came to Cavendish Laboratory as usual.
As soon as he entered, he heard Rutherford and Wilson laughing, so he walked up and said, "Oh, guys, what are you laughing at? Is there any major breakthrough?"
Wilson saw Li Qiwei coming, and quickly pulled him and said: "Hey, Bruce, guess what Rutherford discovered?"
Li Qiwei asked knowingly, "Is it the research on radioactivity? A major breakthrough?"
Rutherford smiled arrogantly, and said with a magnetic bass: "Bruce, you are really good at predicting things. Yes, my experiment proved it. The essence of radioactivity, I named it [radioactive half-life]”
"And the experimental results show that the so-called alpha rays are helium ions, which are very different from X-rays."
Li Qiwei suddenly became interested. At that time, Thomson recommended Rutherford to go to Canada, and the topic he gave was research." radioactivity of uranium salts.
Yes, it is the element needed for atomic bombs: uranium.
Since the Curies discovered the radioactivity of radium 2 years ago, physicists have discovered that the heavier the atom, the stronger its radioactive activity. Therefore, uranium, as the heaviest natural atom currently known, has been intensively studied by physicists from all over the world.
Everyone wants to understand why substances are radioactive.
Now, this major achievement has finally been achieved by Rutherford.
Historically, Rutherford won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with this achievement (those who engage in physics win the Chemistry Prize, commonly known as cross-field law enforcement, which is so scary).
It can be seen how important it is for students that a tutor can give a good topic.
And then Rutherford will bombard the gold foil with alpha particles, discovering the existence of atomic nuclei, and then discovering neutrons.
Finally, bombarding uranium atoms with neutrons will produce a nuclear fission reaction. This is the timeline of the second theoretical basis of the atomic bomb.
Rutherford was in a very good mood. He had already begun to organize the experimental results and write a paper.
What Li Qiwei wanted to do was to establish a good relationship with him, learn more about uranium, and prepare for the future. So he asked: "Rutherford, where are you going to publish the paper?"
Rutherford was stunned and said, "I haven't considered this yet. It was originally planned to be published in the "Annals of Physics" in Germany. "
Li Qiwei said coaxingly: "There is no need to look far away, why not publish it in "Nature", and then use "Nature" as the official journal of our Cavendish Laboratory. ”
"And I am also the editor-in-chief of "Nature". I will arrange a big cover for you when the time comes. Such an important discovery must be publicized in a high-profile manner."
Rutherford couldn't laugh or cry when he heard this. This junior brother has so many clever ideas. But he didn't object.
Although he was an academician of Canada, Canada at this time belonged to the United Kingdom and was just a Dominion.
There seems to be no problem if I submit it to a British journal.
In the next period of time, Rutherford quickly wrote the paper and submitted it to "Nature" together with Ridgway's photoelectric effect, which immediately caused a sensation in the physics community.
If quantum theory is a high-end pure theoretical research, not many people can participate; then radioactivity is a down-to-earth experimental research, and anyone can go in and try it.
In particular, the nature of radioactivity has been proven and everyone has theoretical support. Countless physicists have started research on radioactivity of more elements in an attempt to discover new phenomena.
It would be best to be like X-rays, which not only have physical meaning, but can also be applied to reality, benefit mankind, and make money by the way.
There is no way, not everyone is a great expert, ordinary physicists also have to eat, of course, they have to find areas where results are easy to come out.
For a time, Rutherford's fame even overshadowed Li Qiwei, and the name of Cavendish Laboratory was also known to everyone.
Mainly because Rutherford is a Westerner and Ridgway is an Easterner. The reason is so unpretentious.
Of course, the happiest person is Sir Lockyer. Now "Nature" has become the number one sacred journal in the hearts of scientific workers.
Publishing a paper in "Nature" means fame, status, and of course, professional title, money, etc.
Countless young researchers are flocking to it. Even if they don’t expect to be published in the main journal, they are satisfied with the sub-journals.
During this period, Li Qiwei had to review a manuscript almost every few days.
His heart was filled with excitement when he saw it, and he suddenly thought whether he would also have to start a Chinese scientific journal, or one that would specialize in introducing related Western technologies.
However, all of this will have to wait until He Yujie and the others return.
Thanks to [Shui Han Tian Mie] for recommending monthly tickets, thank you boss. Thank you to all new and old book friends for your recommendation votes.
(End of this chapter)