Mrs. Smith's question was on point. At that time, the most respected thing in the entire physics community was experimental physics.
The early 20th century was an era of scientific explosion, and the big guys were busy conducting experiments and making discoveries. It can be seen from the people who won the Nobel Prize that almost all of them were engaged in experimental physics in the early years.
Physics at that time was led by these experimental physicists: they first conducted experiments and had experimental phenomena, and then handed them over to theoretical physicists to deduce.
Of course, as physics developed later, theoretical physics became very powerful. Li Yu also studied in this environment, so he was able to use mathematics and equations to conduct careful deductions.
So, it wasn’t that the big guys at the time were incompetent, it was just that they didn’t have the energy or thought to do it.
Just like Planck, a fighting man among the big names in theoretical physics, he introduced Planck's formula as early as 1900, but at that time he was still unknown!
Really not many people pay attention at all, and this situation will continue for a few years...
The paper Li Yu wrote was also a purely theoretical physics paper. The reason why it caused a sensation was really because of the wave of traffic.
The rays were really too hot at that time, and Roentgen recommended it as a big V, and the top media "The Times" made a headline report, which was equivalent to a hot search...
A series of matchups led to the current situation, and Li Yu did not expect this result.
Li Yu was very curious as to why Mrs. Smith, a person who had never attended college, could ask such a profound question, so he answered vaguely: "I just published it earlier than others. If it weren't for me, I believe it wouldn't be long before a certain scientist would
The same conclusion is derived."
"Chinese people are indeed humble," Mrs. Smith said, "You don't have to deny this."
During the conversation, "Zi Lin Xi Bao" reporter Wood Hay (British) and "Shen Shen" reporter Shi Liangcai arrived.
Shi Liang was a Chinese, and Li Yu was deeply impressed by him.
As soon as Puland finished introducing the two of them, the wife of the British Minister to the Qing Dynasty, Sa Daoyi, also came in. As soon as she appeared, Li Yu was shocked to find that she seemed to be Chinese too!
Puland introduced: "This is Takeda Kane, the minister's wife."
The name also sounded Chinese, and Li Yu was about to find an opportunity to ask, but her 90-degree bow immediately convinced Li Yu that she was actually Japanese.
After that, several counselors from the Belgian Embassy, the Dutch Embassy, and the German Embassy came one after another.
As the host of the salon, Puland introduced everyone and made some opening remarks:
"We welcome you all, ladies and gentlemen. The purpose of coming today must be to interview and get to know a rising star in the scientific community, Li Yu. Although he is young, he is unstoppable and has already achieved success in the academic world.
Achievements that can be achieved... Without further ado, we have invited Li Yu to give a speech."
Li Yu was a little confused. This Puland put a high hat on himself again. He was worthy of being a journalist, and he talked about everything.
Li Yu looked at the people in front of him. Except for Shi Liangcai, they were all foreigners. Moreover, Germany, Britain, and Japan were the main forces of the Eight-Nation Allied Forces before. He really didn't know what to tell them, so he had to tell them about his study experience and his previous and previous encounters.
What Purland and Mrs. Smith said was repeated again, adding only at the end:
"That's basically it. I'm not a rising star in science. I can only be regarded as a student studying. I think what everyone is most curious about is why people like me appear in such a backward country. I don't want to answer this question, because
All people are born equal, not only in China, but also in any country or region, regardless of poverty or wealth, there will be outstanding talents! Thank you all."
Everyone present was moved after hearing this, and regardless of whether it was true or false, they all applauded him.
The wife of the minister, Kane Takeda, was the most touched. She said: "At that time, our country, Japan, was also poor and backward. I understand Mr. Li Yu's mood very well. I think our country is trying to be as Western as possible by constantly learning from the West, even at the cost of all-round Westernization.
We are only what we are today by getting closer together. And we are already confident that we will become a stronger country."
Li Yu thought to himself that indeed, many Japanese people were already very radical in their thinking at that time. If it were not blocked by some people, Japan would really be able to engage in all-round Westernization.
And now the most arrogant country in the world is little Japan. After winning the Russo-Japanese War in a few years, it is so excited that it almost wants to ride on the Tsar's head and recreate the great achievements that Napoleon failed to accomplish.
Li Yu asked: "My wife's surname is Takeda. Is her ancestor related to Takeda Shingen, the Tiger of Kai?"
Takeda Kane is indeed a descendant of the Takeda family. He asked in surprise: "Do you know the history of Japan?"
"You asking this must mean that you also remember the history of your country. Since you will not forget yourself, do you think all-round Westernization is possible? The long-term solution is to be inclusive."
Takeda Kane fell into deep thought. She had attended Plum Blossom Girls' School in Japan since she was a child and highly admired Western learning. Whether it was Western literature, history or Western science, she loved everything. Otherwise, she would not have heard that Li Yu was good at Western learning.
Moreover, she has almost implemented the idea of complete Westernization and wants to become a "real" Westerner by marrying Sa Daoyi.
As for the outcome, I'm afraid only she herself knows.
Seeing that she was no longer speaking, reporter Wood Hai of the Zilin West News asked: "I have a question. If you want to do physics research, sir, can you listen to what Michelson once said, 'The building of physics has basically been completed.
Later generations will just do a little tinkering."
Sure enough, he was asked this question! Woodhead will become the editor-in-chief of "Zi Lin Xi Bao" in the future, and he did do his homework in advance this time.
Li Yu had no choice but to say: "Then you must have heard what Lord Kelvin said. Although he also believed that physics was basically complete, he also said that the beautiful and clear sky of physics is now shrouded by two dark clouds. The first one appears in
In the wave theory of light, the second wave appears in the Maxwell-Boltzmann theory about the equalization of energy."
Having said this, Li Yu finally felt that the advantages of being a future person were highlighted. Even if he was not a science major, he would definitely know the products of the development of these two dark clouds: the first one directly derived the theory of relativity; the second one was completely
The beginning of quantum mechanics!
Although some people feel that Lord Kelvin's words are a laughing stock, mocking him for not being able to see the future of science.
But it was true that the mathematical theory was already quite complete at that time. Newton's classical mechanics plus Kepler's three laws could perfectly explain the operation of all things in the universe. Later, electricity and magnetism were discovered, Maxwell was born, and the electromagnetic theory was basically perfected.
All of this has made all scientists' self-confidence soaring to an all-time high. They feel that they have a thorough understanding of the world, that nothing is hidden in the shadows, and that they are completely standing in the position of God.
But under such circumstances, Lord Kelvin was still able to accurately point out the "little dark clouds" that would lead to the development of two major theories in the future, which is enough to prove that he has deep scientific literacy and is like a prophet.