Boltzmann trudged back to his office. Today's inductive philosophy class was not a success. The students below were whispering, not paying attention, and even interrupted his lecture on atomic theory at one point.
He had no choice but to disagree with Mach, and he was taking his place in class. Most of the students below were supporters of Mach's theory and did not believe in Boltzmann's theory at all.
Now his mental state is very poor. Not many people in Europe fully recognize his theory, and he cannot gain any advantage in the dispute with Mach.
Mach's status in the entire scientific community at that time was already very prominent. Military fans in later generations must know him, because the speed unit of the aircraft is named after him. There is also the "Mach ring" that will appear behind rocket engines or supersonic ramjet engines.
". In the flight pictures of the J-20 engine, there is a string of very bright Mach rings at the tail.
It can be said that this thing is a symbol of the defense industry. It is clearly telling others not to mess with me.
Mach was a very special physicist. Although he recognized Boltzmann's academic ability, he opposed the atomic theory that Boltzmann insisted on.
In fact, it’s not just atoms. Mach even opposes many of the most basic concepts of physics such as molecules, fields, and forces.
Of course, everyone now knows that these are correct, but at that time, there was indeed no atomic model, and there were many scientists who did not admit the existence of atoms. After all, not to mention that they could not be observed, there was not much experimental evidence at that time.
Although Boltzmann's equation is now respected as one of the top ten equations in physics, his status in later generations can also be said to be recognized as a super boss in thermodynamics and statistical physics, and he is the boss among the bosses. But at that time, he
Indeed, his theory was not recognized for a long time, and he suffered from severe depression. According to the trajectory of history, Boltzmann would choose to end his life by suicide four years later.
Boltzmann sat slumped in his chair, trying desperately to control his emotions, when he suddenly saw a letter from the Royal Society on the table.
He wasn't quite sure why Britain's top scientific institution wrote to him. The first thing he saw after opening it was President Huggins's personal letter:
"Dear Professor Boltzmann. Forgive me for interrupting your work. We have just received a very interesting paper. It uses atomic theory and your equations to conduct a careful derivation, and also conducts a microscopic analysis of the principle of entropy increase.
A double extension of macroeconomics. We know that you are the real authority in statistical mechanics, so we hope you can review and comment on this paper."
Boltzmann's eyes flashed.
Atomic theory! Even used his own equations!
He immediately took out Li Yu's paper from the envelope. After reading it, his heart suddenly cleared of gloom.
Soulmate! Absolute soulmate!
There are people who can understand their own theories so thoroughly, use their own equations so skillfully, and their writing seems to be a canon of their own equations, and the basis of their derivation is based on the equations.
Boltzmann's hands were trembling a little, and even the circles under his eyes were starting to get wet.
However, a hidden worry flashed through his heart. He had already received too much criticism for this, and he was a little worried that the author of the article would also be slandered by other opponents.
Boltzmann looked at the author's name. Li Yu? He had never heard of this person. Huggins' letter only mentioned that he was a scholar from the Qing Dynasty in the far east.
Qing Dynasty?
Boltzmann still clearly remembered the crimes committed by the Eight-Power Allied Forces against this ancient Eastern country two years ago. Even his own motherland, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also participated in the war.
He opposed the war, but he could not stop it.
At this moment, I really can't imagine that there is such an outstanding scientific researcher in a country that is so dilapidated that it is almost destroyed. This scholar must have suffered greater pain than himself!
no!
Boltzmann secretly made up his mind to firmly protect his confidant, whom he had never met but whom he highly recognized.
Anyway, I am already old, almost 60 years old. If you still have any criticisms, just point them at me!
Boltzmann suddenly felt the will to fight. Since he was not fighting alone, let the dying old man be a pioneer for a young man in a country that was also dying!
He picked up the pen on the table, spread out the manuscript paper, and quickly wrote a reply:
"Dear President Huggins: I am very grateful that you allowed me to read a paper of such a high standard. I can say with absolute certainty that this is a work of genius! The theory in the article is so solid and the deduction is so rigorous.
, the calculation is so beautiful! I am deeply shocked!
"You said you wanted me to review the article, but I want to say yes, it is actually the author of the article - Mr. Li Yu who is reviewing my theory, and even the entire thermodynamics!
"I sincerely hope that his article can be published, with my humble name attached to support it. Although it may attract opposition from many people, I hope they know that this is real science!"
After writing the letter, Boltzmann suddenly laughed heartily. What a rare joy today!
President Huggins quickly received the reply and read it with Lord Kelvin.
Lord Kelvin finished reading and said: "How surprising that it can receive such high praise. Since Boltzmann said there is no problem, I have nothing to say, so publish it!"
President Huggins nodded, called Joelson, the editor of his journal "Proceedings of the Natural Science", handed him the paper, and said: "We will start typesetting and printing today, and we will print 2,000 more copies!"
Joelson was surprised: "But President, we don't have enough articles in this issue."
President Huggins said: "It doesn't matter. If there are no other articles, I will publish this paper as a special issue, and I will also bring Professor Boltzmann's reply."
Lord Kelvin said: "If there are not enough articles, I can also write a preface to this paper and make up the number for you."
Editor Joelson was shocked: "My lord, do you want to write the preface yourself?"
Lord Kelvin smiled and said: "Why, am I not qualified enough?"
"No, no, no! It would be great if you could introduce it!"
President Huggins handed Boltzmann's handwritten letter to editor Joelson, and said: "In addition, you can also send letters to the Edinburgh Review, Physical Review, and Annals of Physics, if they want
If you want to reprint it, just send us a letter to invite us.”
Good guy, President Huggins named several famous scientific magazines in Europe at that time, among which "Annals of Physics" was even the magazine where Einstein published the theory of relativity three years later in 1905.