Chapter 118 The stars gather together and everyone is watching!
On the morning of July 15, 1902, in the conference hall of the Metropolitan Hotel in Brussels, Belgium.
This was the venue for the first Young Scholars Exchange Meeting.
A more high-level conference is being held now.
The seminar on relativity that physicists around the world are looking forward to is about to begin.
At this time, the venue was crowded and the atmosphere was warm.
Big names in the scientific field chatted casually.
We just take this opportunity to exchange academic knowledge and enhance our relationship.
Li Qiwei asked Xu Qitai and Chris to help him deal with some trivial matters.
According to their statistics, there were more than 400 people participating in the meeting this time!
This is not a small amount.
The London Quantum Theory Conference two years ago only had about 200 people, and it also included many students.
At last year’s Swedish Nobel Prize ceremony, there were only about 250 physics staff, and most of them were local Swedish teachers and students.
And among the 400 people this time, the vast majority are at least a first-level physicist.
Don’t think that 400 people is a small number.
In later generations, if an academic conference is not attended by thousands of people, it may be too embarrassing to publicize, and it can only be regarded as a small conference.
But in 1902, it was estimated that there were only about thirty countries in the world with universities, and almost all of them were in Europe and the United States.
In this era, professor is definitely not an ordinary title, and it is different from the common title in later generations.
Professors in any university are extremely noble.
Luo Fuyu was so scared when he saw Wilson who was just a lecturer, let alone a professor.
A conservative estimate is that there are about 50 physics professors in big scientific countries like Britain, France, Germany and the United States.
As for those small countries, there may only be a dozen physics professors in the country.
Calculated in this way, it is estimated that there are about 600 people with the title of physics professor in the world at this time.
As for the students in the physics department, it is about ten times the number, about 6,000.
The equivalent of two-thirds of the world’s physics professors came to attend the conference.
It can be seen that the unprecedented grand occasion of this seminar on the theory of relativity has attracted the attention of millions of people.
Although this is related to Li Qiwei’s status at this time, it also shows the great impact that the theory of relativity has brought to physics.
According to Chris's preliminary statistics on the participants:
There are about 250 physicists, 48 ordinary physicists, and 21 senior physicists.
Others are students, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, and other big names in the natural sciences.
In addition to the theory of relativity, many people want to see the first person to win the Nobel Prize.
Don’t underestimate the respect for great scientists in this era.
In real history, after Einstein published the general theory of relativity, he instantly became world-famous and was almost the first person in physics.
Once the Queen of the Netherlands visited Leiden University and learned that Einstein was a specially invited professor at Leiden University, she immediately expressed her desire to meet him.
The influence of physicists can be seen.
Li Qiwei is now one-fifth of what Cupid once was.
He arrived in Brussels with everyone the day before.
Last night he had a great chat with Einstein, Rutherford, Planck and others.
After arriving at the venue this morning, he was deeply moved by the familiar environment.
Xu Qitai showed off his last experience to He Yujie and Xia Yuanqi next to him, looking coquettish.
He also said that his graduation thesis "Research on Radioactivity" was inspired by that trip.
Li Qiwei left the two of them and went to sit in the front row. He looked back at the packed venue and smiled:
“This time, I’m afraid all the physicists in the world will be there. You must have been invited.”
“It’s really a gathering of stars!”
Einstein sat next to him and sighed, “Bruce, the last time I came here, I am still an ordinary doctoral student.”
"Now I have to preach my theory in front of so many physicists. Life is really ever-changing."
"To be honest, I am still a little nervous now."
Li Qiwei He smiled and said: "Einstein, it's okay, just relax."
"When the time comes on the stage, just treat the people below you as primary school students, hahaha."
Einstein smiled and said: "Bruce, I really envy your mentality, as if everything is under your control."
"You were also so calm and relaxed at the quantum conference before, and finally gave an earth-shattering explanation of the photoelectric effect."
"Tell me honestly, have you prepared any secrets this time? Weapons, you have to help me when the time comes."
Li Qiwei smiled and said nothing.
At this time, there was a sudden commotion in the venue. Li Qiwei looked carefully and saw that it was Albert.
His status is undoubtedly the most distinguished one on the field, and he immediately becomes the focus of the crowd.
Li Qiwei had heard about him from Solvay before, but now that he saw him in person, he couldn't help but be a little curious.
After Albert greeted everyone politely, he walked straight towards him.
He stretched out his right hand and said warmly in the spring breeze: "Hello, Bruce, I have long admired your name."
Li Qiwei was too embarrassed to ask for help, stood up, also stretched out his right hand, and shook Together, "Hello, Your Highness Albert, I'm glad to see you too."
Albert took this opportunity to carefully look at this influential figure in the world of physics.
The imposing manner was different from all the Qing people he had seen before, as if there was no sense of worship of authority in his bones.
It can be seen from the way the other party just returned the gift that he is not as respectful as others see him, and his attitude and actions are not standard.
Albert remembered the words of the king's uncle, and he needed to give these scientists a sense of royal mystery.
So, he said: "I have something I want to talk to you alone. You can come to me after the meeting." Li Qiwei wondered whether Solvay informed him of his desire for uranium mines. The other party?
It doesn’t feel like it either.
Although the other party's tone sounded very unpleasant, with a sense of condescending command.
But Li Qiwei wanted to find the other party anyway, so he agreed casually, "Yes."
After saying that, Albert turned and left, heading towards the VIP table.
It turns out that senior government officials and members of the royal family have separate seats.
Li Qiwei shrugged, not envious, and said that there was nothing wrong with him. Anyway, he didn't pay for it himself, so he could just sit on a small bench.
Soon, under the "silence" of the host Lorenz, the venue gradually became quiet, and there was no sound.
The people who can come here are all high-quality talents and there will be no noisy situation.
And Lorenz was asked by Li Qiwei to be the host.
For such a high-level academic conference, the host must be a big shot.
As a senior physicist, Lorenz was one of the few big guys present.
In order to repay Li Qiwei’s treat last time, he readily agreed to be the host.
In real history, Lorenz was the most popular host in the international physics community.
Many conferences were chaired by him, including the most famous Fifth Solvay Conference.
Because he knows everything about humanities and geography, is proficient in many foreign languages, and is good at communication, he is very popular.
Most importantly, he speaks concisely and is good at summarizing the most complex arguments.
Now, at the age of 49, he stands on the podium, looking at the countless colleagues below, his emotions burst out, and he said with great energy:
"Hello everyone, I am Heng Derek Lorenz. "
"Today is an extraordinary day, and we will prove whether a great theory is right or wrong."
"I personally think that regardless of the outcome. , this meeting itself is of great significance to the physics community.”
"From now on, studying physics and proposing theories will no longer mean self-promotion, but everyone will sit together and openly engage in academic competition."
"Physics will definitely develop at a faster pace under this model. ." After speaking, Lorenz paused for a moment.
At this time, thunderous applause broke out in the venue.
Everyone was aroused by a few short words and had endless expectations for this meeting.
Lorenz smiled slightly, and continued to speak with the rhythm of the venue:
"Therefore, on behalf of all participants, I would first like to thank the Belgian government for its strong support."
"The streets of Brussels are very clean and beautiful, which makes people feel relaxed and happy."
"In addition, I would also like to thank you Mr. Solvay’s generosity.”
“His love for physics even puts me, a physicist, to shame.”
“If I could have such concentration and obsession, It’s not Bruce’s turn to publish the theory of relativity.”
Such humorous and emotionally intelligent words immediately made the venue burst into laughter.
Only Lorenz and Ridgway have a good relationship, so they can make such a joke.
Anyone else would not have this comic effect.
Lorenz entered his own field and became more and more comfortable in hosting, "Finally, let us warmly welcome His Royal Highness Albert to deliver a speech."
"He will represent the Belgian royal family to express his views on this meeting. Congratulations and expectations.”
Then, amid the applause of the crowd, Albert walked onto the stage gracefully and calmly.
Even if there are nearly ten thousand people in the scene, he has experienced it with calmness and calmness.
But the mere few hundred people in the audience put a lot of pressure on him.
Because these people can be said to be the elite of the entire human race.
Almost everyone will not kowtow to themselves and be subdued by power.
After all, Albert was still young at this time and was far less mature and calm than Leopold II.
So, he calmed down his emotions and delivered a speech solemnly and simply.
It mainly conveys the message to the Belgian royal family and Leopold II, and welcomes everyone present.
I hope this conference can promote the development of physics and better enhance European civilization.
In short, the style is very high, from Belgium to Europe and all over the world.
It almost lauds physicists to the sky.
You can tell from the expressions and applause of everyone in the audience that Albert's speech was very successful.
“Okay, then let us officially enter today’s topic.”
“Now, let’s invite one of the proposers of the theory of relativity, Mr. Albert Einstein, to take the stage to explain His theory.”
“Don’t underestimate him just because he is young.”
"Today's young people are more powerful than the last."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a low laugh in the venue, and the atmosphere finally reached a climax.
Everyone is looking forward to today’s final conclusion on the theory of relativity.
Lorentz saw that Einstein was slightly nervous, so he adjusted his emotions.
He himself admires such young people very much and is willing to support the younger generations.
Li Qiwei also patted Einstein on the shoulder. He gave Einstein the opportunity to speak on stage, just to catch a glimpse of the God of Cupid.
Under Li Qiwei’s firm eyes and with Lorenz’s kind help, Einstein took a deep breath.
He had strong steps and strode onto the podium to cheer himself up.
From today on, let the name of the theory of relativity ring throughout the world!
I will go to the hospital tomorrow and the update may be a little late.
(End of this chapter)