Chapter 256 The Paradox of Measuring the Speed of Light in One Direction
Light is one of the most magical phenomena in nature.
Since the birth of physics, physicists have never stopped studying light.
Particle theory, wave theory, prism spectroscopy, Poisson diffraction, double-slit interference.
There is even Ridgway's wave-particle duality. Of course, this property has not yet been recognized because it cannot be verified.
Physicists can reluctantly accept the light quantum hypothesis, but they cannot yet accept the wave-particle duality.
But in any case, people think that the research on the nature of light has been very in-depth.
Not only physicists, but also students feel the same way.
They can calculate the candle hole image faster than anyone else.
However, today, Li Qiwei’s question completely broke everyone’s defenses.
It turns out that we just thought we understood it deeply, but in the end we didn’t even understand the most basic speed of light.
This is simply incredible.
Faced with everyone’s doubts and disbelief, Li Qiwei said:
“I believe many people can’t understand why we can’t measure the one-way speed of light.”
“To understand this requires a deep understanding of my special theory of relativity.”
"Don't just focus on the mass-energy equation. That thing is of no use. It's just a conversion relationship."
Li Qiwei released a smoke bomb without leaving any trace, downplaying everyone's attention to the mass-energy equation.
“The real core of special relativity is the speed of light and space-time.”
“If we want to measure the one-way speed of light, we must synchronize the clocks.”
“And To synchronize the clock, you must first know the one-way speed of light, which creates a paradox. ”
"This is why I assume that the propagation speed of light in all directions is the same in the special theory of relativity."
Everyone in the audience was still confused and did not understand it at all.
“Okay, let me give you an example.”
“Suppose there is a light source that emits a beam of light 10 kilometers away.”
“In At the moment of emission, the timer next to the light source starts timing, and when the light reaches the end point, the timer stops timing. ”
"Then the one-way speed of light is the distance divided by time."
"But here comes the problem."
"How does the timer or observer know that the light has reached the end point?"
“Hubble will say that another timer can be installed at the end point.”
“When this timer detects the incoming laser light, it will stop timing.”
"The idea is good, but it creates a new problem."
"How do you ensure that the two timers are synchronized?"
"The timer at the end point, it How do you know that the timer at the starting point has been started and the light has been emitted? "
"Hubble did not give up and continued to say that he could connect the two timers with wires and call directly. "
“The idea is good, but my special theory of relativity has proven that the transmission speed of information cannot exceed the speed of light.”
"No matter how fast the telephone travels, it cannot exceed the speed of light."
"Assuming that the speed of the telephone is the speed of light, then it and the time it takes for light to reach the end are the same."
"Both. The unknown quantity we want to measure."
"So this method is not feasible."
"Hubble used his genius again and proposed that two timers could be placed first. Let’s synchronize together.”
"Then, transport one of the timers to the end point."
"In this way, there is no need to notify the timer at the end point, because they are inherently synchronized."
" However, this will create a new problem. "
"Because according to the special theory of relativity, the time dilation effect will occur in the transported timer."
"After reaching the end, the two timers. Out of sync again.”
"Above."
"So, theoretically, we cannot measure the speed of light in one direction."
"Light is like a ghost, everything about it is very mysterious."< br>
“Perhaps it has self-awareness and runs faster when it is happy, and runs slower when it is unhappy.”
“But the truth of the universe constrains it and prevents it from being too arbitrary. , the average speed must be set at 300,000 kilometers per second. ”
"Otherwise, maybe our entire world will collapse."
"But don't worry, everyone. Although we don't know the one-way speed of light, at least for now, it has no impact on physics. ”
“It’s enough to measure the average speed. ”
Quiet!
After Li Qiwei finished talking about the paradox of measuring the speed of light in one direction, the auditorium fell into silence like a bird.
Everyone is digesting Li Qiwei's analysis.
Using special relativity to interpret the speed of light leads to such incomprehensible conclusions.
Everyone present was confused and talking nonsense, and black lines appeared on their foreheads.
“My God, today was such a stab in the butt, it opened my eyes.”
“I thought I understood the special theory of relativity, but it turns out that was just what I thought.”< br>
"From today on, I no longer dare to say that I understand physics. This world is too weird."
"It's uncomfortable. Not only have I not learned classical physics thoroughly, I have not even learned modern physics. "Clear."
"I suspect that if Professor Bruce asks me a slider question, I might not be able to do it."
"Don't tell me, it's really possible. For example, what is the nature of friction? Can it become zero? "
"Stop talking, stop talking, let me be quiet!"
At this moment, all the students in the venue looked at Li Qiwei with extremely admiring eyes, feeling shocked in their hearts.
The figure of the other party became extremely tall, as if it enveloped the entire auditorium.
That is the absolute pressure that comes with knowledge that transcends several levels.
Even some professors in the front row are speechless for a long time now.
Although they have studied the special theory of relativity, they have never thought about this issue.
Because the speed of light is too simple, people will subconsciously forget or ignore it and not think there is any problem.
Millikan smiled bitterly.
Is this the difference between theoretical physicists and experimental physicists?
As an experimental physicist, Millikan always thought about how to verify other people's theories.
But I have never thought about the profound essence behind it.
At this moment, he realized how far he was from Bruce.
This gap cannot be bridged through hard work.
It is an innate physical intuition.
Bruce's brain seems to be born for physics.
Millikan sometimes really wanted to open it and see what the difference was between the other person's brain and that of ordinary physicists.
Michelson looked at Li Qiwei with emotion.
As the operator of the Michelson-Morley experiment, he naturally knows the speed of light best.
Li Qiwei had some vague understanding of the paradox mentioned a few years ago.
But unfortunately, his current status in physics is too high, which leads to a lot of trivial matters.
It is difficult to do experiments and think about problems as much as I did when I was young.
He had been out of frontline research for a little too long.
Li Qiwei's analysis made Michelson suddenly feel a sense of sadness.
He is old and does not have the same passion as before, so he will miss a lot of discoveries.
But now the golden age of physics is breaking out again, and Michelson is really unwilling to do so.
He really wants to borrow another five hundred years from heaven.
Hubble in the crowd was shaking with excitement.
Li Qiwei’s two questions left an indelible mark on his young mind.
At this moment, he truly felt the charm of the world's top physicists.
The pleasure of knowledge seeming to spurt out from every pore made Hubble fall into it.
He silently decided in his heart that he must continue on the path of physics.
Follow Professor Bruce and one day stand at the pinnacle of physics and experience the boundless and magnificent scenery.
Li Qiwei became Hubble's spiritual mentor, leading him into confusion.
At this time, another young man suddenly stood up in the crowd. Li Qiwei looked at him and saw that he was a Chinese, looking a bit like an international student.
Li Qiwei suddenly felt good in his heart and looked at him with a smile, conveying strength through the air.
I saw the young Chinese man saying excitedly in English: "Professor Bruce, my name is Chongsu."
"Thanks to your policies, I came to the United States to study last year."
"Now studying for a master's degree at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University in the United States."
"I'm so excited to see you."
Li Qiwei was very happy because he turned out to be an international student from China.
Today, China only has undergraduate education and no postgraduate education.
If students want to continue their studies, they can only go abroad.
At the beginning, Li Qiwei also considered the actual situation and did not establish a master's degree or a doctoral degree in the country.
Because based on the actual situation of the Qing Dynasty, that was a bit too exaggerated.
I guess it is not recognized abroad either, it is purely for my own entertainment.
Therefore, many outstanding domestic students take advantage of the study abroad policy to study abroad, mainly in European and American countries.
Li Qiwei discovered that the other party did not go to a well-known school, but to the Agricultural Machinery University. This showed that the other party was down-to-earth and not too ambitious.
"Chongsu, you are very good. China now not only needs pure theoretical sciences such as mathematics and physics."
"It also needs to develop majors related to people's livelihood. Your choice is very important. Okay.”
“This shows that you are not pursuing fame, but doing research in a down-to-earth manner.”
"After returning to China in the future, I hope to see you bring changes to the country's agricultural industry."
Li Qiwei's words made Chongsu's blood boil instantly.
As if he had been given a shot of chicken blood, at this moment, all the difficulties and grievances he had suffered in a foreign country disappeared.
With Li Qiwei’s words, his Chongsu future is destined to be limitless.
In the future, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University will be proud of Chongsu.
At this time, Li Qiwei suddenly said, "Chongsu, do you have any opinion on the speed of light paradox?"
He knew that the other party definitely did not simply want to talk to him.
Sure enough, after Chongsu calmed down, he said: "Professor, I do have some ideas."
"However, after all, I am not a physics major, I am just more interested in physics. ."
"I hope you can tolerate my mistakes."
Li Qiwei smiled kindly and encouraged: "To be bold, today is not an academic research, and anyone can speak freely."
So, Chongsu bravely said: "I think distance and time are not actual existences; they are A mutual relationship between objects. "
"Space is the positional relationship between objects, and time is the sequential relationship between things."
"Light is a physical existence. , so the speed of light is also an actual existence. "
"I think it is unreasonable to measure an actual existence with a non-actual relationship. "
"So, we cannot measure the speed of light."
Boom!
Chongsu's words were like a bomb, shocking everyone who was still in shock.
No one present could have imagined that Hubble was already good enough, but they didn’t expect that there was a great master here.
The students looked at Chongsu with envy. The other person's answer seemed to have a touch of philosophy, and it sounded awesome.
And the other party turned out to be an overseas student from the Qing Dynasty.
This country is really terrible.
Obviously a few years ago, it was still a feudal and ignorant country.
Ever since Professor Bruce returned, he seems to have been completely transformed. Now any international student is so awesome.
The key is that the other party is not a physics major.
You can have such a profound insight and understanding of the speed of light paradox.
It is truly admirable.
Hubble couldn't help but look at Chongsu, thinking that there were indeed too many crouching tigers, hidden dragons in the world.
It seems that I cannot be proud of my little cleverness.
You still need to work hard in a down-to-earth manner to achieve greater achievements.
Among all the people, Master Qian Wu was the most surprised.
He did not expect that not only would he meet fellow villagers here today, but the fellow villagers would also gain face for the Chinese people.
What a boost.
From the shocked eyes of the people around him, Qian Wushi felt respected.
Sure enough, we Chinese are no worse than anyone else.
In the field of science, under the leadership of Professor Li Qiwei, we will surely create unprecedented brilliance.
Michelson in the front row was also thinking about Chongsu’s answer just now.
Although this answer is not perfect, or it has any advancement effect on physics.
But the key is the age and identity of the other party.
It is very rare to have this kind of insight. It is a malleable talent, no worse than Hubble.
Michelson was shocked that there were many such outstanding students in China.
The population of that country is too large.
They can pick out 100 outstanding students to conquer physics, and another 100 to conquer mathematics.
The scary thing is that 100 more people can be spared to learn modern agriculture.
What is this concept?
Equivalent to one American manufactured car, China has four manufactured cars.
This is not a simple four-fold relationship, the results and explosive power are exponentially higher.
At this moment, Chongsu's appearance made Michelson understand that Li Qiwei's plan had initially yielded results.
The other party's ambitions are rapidly growing and being realized in a way that no one can imagine.
Michelson stared closely at the voice on the stage and murmured: "Bruce, is this your method?"
"It's so admirable."
At this moment, after listening to Chongsu's explanation, Li Qiwei couldn't help but feel proud.
Look, this is Li Qiwei’s transformation of Chinese science.
I was not wrong!
Although Chongsu’s point of view is not particularly accurate.
Because space itself is an actual existence.
The so-called vacuum is not empty, is a very complex and multiple concept.
However, this was 1910, and Chongsu was still a Chinese student. He could have this kind of insight, which was enough to make Li Qiwei ecstatic.
This is the hope of China in the future!
One Chongsu is not scary. Thousands of Chongsu gathered together will erupt with power that shocks the world.
On this occasion, Li Qiwei couldn't be too excited, so he smiled and said: "Chongsu, your point of view is very novel."
"You are not a student majoring in physics. It is very rare to have this kind of thinking. . ”
“We can have a good communication next time”
Wow!
Li Qiwei’s words made others present envious.
First Hubble, then Chongsu.
Both of them received praise from Professor Bruce.
The future academic road is destined to be a smooth one.
And it can be seen from this incident that Professor Bruce has a broad mind.
He did not wait to worship Su because of his Chinese identity.
On the contrary, Hubble is also generous in his praise.
This makes them, who claim to be in a free and civilized country, feel a little ashamed.
Because they also discriminate against Asians.
Even the United States has introduced various laws.
At this moment, Li Qiwei is subtly changing the future of the United States.
But if he heard the thoughts of these students, he would definitely smile and say:
"Sorry, you are overthinking. Hubble is far inferior to Chongsu."
( End of chapter)