London, Royal Society.
Lockyer received Li Yu's letter and was greatly shocked after reading it. He immediately went to Cambridge University to find Thomson, the director of the Cavendish Laboratory.
"Professor, you must see this!"
"What's all the fuss about? Could it be that you lost everything in today's horse race?" Thomson said.
Lockyer placed Li Yu's paper on Thomson's desk, "I received Li Yu's letter. Oh my god, he actually said that even tiny hydrogen ions can still be subdivided. I think you will be very interested. .”
"Hydrogen ions?" Thomson put on his glasses, "Show it to me."
Thomson spent most of his life studying gas conductivity and cathode rays, and was very sensitive to things in the atomic realm. After reading this, he immediately realized that Li Yu was really brave. He dared to propose such a shocking theory, but it seemed that he Can't find any flaws.
Seeing that he didn't speak for a long time, Lockyer asked: "How is it? Is there any problem?"
"At least I don't see the problem," Thomson shook his head, "and he seems to have explained a problem that has puzzled me for a long time."
Although Lockyer is not as well-known as Thomson, he has been running Nature for so many years and has read the most scientific literature. He guessed what Thomson wanted to say: "The professor is referring to the test you made earlier." The strange phenomenon of the atomic mass of neon ions?"
This experiment can be said to be one of the two most important experiments Thomson did in his life. The other was of course the discovery of the electron.
Thomson said: "Yes, when I measured the atomic mass of neon ions, I found that even after deducting the charge effect, the atomic mass of neon ions still has two values, one is the mass of 20 hydrogen atoms, and the other is the mass of 22 hydrogen atoms. . I always thought it should be 20. The reason why 22 appears is because the neon ions captured two more hydrogen atoms."
Lockyer had read Thomson’s experimental report and said, “If we follow what Li Yu said, it’s not what the professor had guessed before.”
Thomson looked at Li Yu's paper again and nodded: "Thinking about it now, my guess is indeed too far-fetched. Why can neon ions capture hydrogen atoms? Why are there just 2? Instead of 1, 3, or 4 , 5?”
Lockyer asked: "Is there any way to test Li Yu's 'isotope hypothesis'?"
Thomson shook his head helplessly: "This should be a matter for chemists, but if chemists have no way, it will be more difficult to use physical methods because a more accurate mass spectrometer is needed."
"Isn't there a mass spectrometer that the professor improved in the Cavendish Laboratory?" Lockyer said.
Thomson said: "That machine is too crude. It is extremely difficult to measure such precise values. It must be made more sophisticated and major improvements. And improving experimental instruments is not my strong point."
Thomson first studied engineering, then switched to mathematics, and finally specialized in physics, and he was more inclined to theoretical physics. In terms of experimental ability, he was not much better than Li Yu's little clumsy one.
Lockyer said with a keen eye: "That is to say, if you want to verify Li Yu's statement, it will take some time. If it can be proved, given the current attitude of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, it will definitely be another physics medal."
"It's not that simple," Thomson said. "Just like when Mr. Roentgen won the award for discovering I hope someone can make such experimental equipment... Hey, I thought of a few people."
Lockyer asked: "Who?"
"One is Rutherford, who is now in Canada, and the other is Aston, who is at the University of Birmingham." Thomson said while looking for letter paper.
"I know Professor Rutherford, who is Aston?" Lockyer asked.
Thomson said: "When I went to give a lecture at the University of Birmingham last year, I met a young man who I thought very highly of."
Thomson, like his successor Rutherford, was a top-notch talent with terrifyingly good vision and numerous Nobel Prize winners among his disciples.
Lockyer saw that Thomson was really ready to write a letter, so he said: "It seems that you agree very much with the theory proposed by Li Yu."
"It is indeed the best explanation." Thomson opened the pen. "Otherwise, I really can't think of any better theory to explain why there are decimals in atomic mass. There can't be 0.4 or 0.6 atoms, right? In this case, explain Atoms really seem to be subdivided."
Lockyer said: "If the professor has no objection, I will publish it in the latest issue of Nature."
Thomson said: "Don't worry, Li Yu has not made any mistakes so far."
After the paper was released, it immediately aroused discussion among a large number of scientists.
There are still many people who oppose atomic theory. Now Li Yu says that atoms can still be divided, which is like poking a hornet's nest.
Fortunately, Li Yu explained at the beginning that isotopes are a hypothesis, and experiments are needed to continue to prove it.
Typical opponents of atomic theory such as Mach and Ostwald were even more unable to accept the isotope theory. They still insisted on Thomson's previous hypothesis, that is, neon ions captured other hydrogen atoms, but they could not come up with a corresponding theory as to why. .
But this matter is currently difficult to argue, and we can only hope that better mass spectrometers will emerge.
——
Li Yu, who is in the capital, recently received a letter from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
By convention, Nobel Prize winners have the right to nominate candidates. At this time, Li Yu is nominating candidates for next year’s physics prize.
According to history, it will be Michelson who wins.
Although Li Yu wanted to vote for Boltzmann or Planck, he had no intention of breaking this order, so he still wrote Michelson.
Firstly, Michelson is indeed worthy of a Nobel Prize; secondly, even if Boltzmann is nominated, the safer choice is to wait until Jean Perrin has completely sealed the coffin of atomic theory.
After sending the letter, Li Yucai prepared to leave for Japan.
Lu Bicheng was working as the head teacher at Beiyang Women's Public School at this time, so naturally she couldn't leave, so Li Yu took Hu Jiayan and several other students from the factory and set off.
But Konoe Akiyuki also insisted on going together because her Japanese was the best among them and she was also responsible for sales to Japan.
Since this ship also had to pick up people, it went via Qingdao, Shanghai, and then from Shanghai to Yokohama.
When we arrived in Shanghai, we thought we would be able to continue sailing soon. Unexpectedly, there was a problem with the ship's power and it had to be repaired in Shanghai Port for two days.
There was no other way, so Li Yu had no choice but to get off the boat and go find Cai Yuanpei and Li Shutong to drink tea and chat.
Cai Yuanpei was quite surprised when he saw Li Yu: "We have only been away for a month, why are brothers Shucai back?"
Li Yu smiled and said: "There was no need to get off the ship, but the ship's engine broke down."
"It's good to be bad!" Cai Yuanpei said, "Brother Yunshui invited me to give a lecture at his Jingye High School. You can do it better than me."
"Who is Yunshui?" Li Yu asked.
"Brother Yunshui's full name is Ye Jingyu. He also went to Japan to inspect education. He is an important figure in Shanghai New School and is worth meeting." Cai Yuanpei said.
Li Yu had never heard of him, but since Cai Yuanpei said so, he asked for the address. It was next to the Shanghai Confucian Temple, which was quite close, so he went with him.
This is not a concession, it is an area under the jurisdiction of Shanghai County, one kilometer south of Yuyuan Garden.
Although Jingye School is located next to the Shanghai Confucian Temple, which worships Confucius, it is now a truly new school.
As soon as he arrived at the school gate, Li Yu saw a big plaque with the words "Seaside Zou Lu" written on it.
Cai Yuanpei introduced it to Li Yu: "These four words were mentioned by Lin Zexu when he was working here."
Jingye School is the oldest high school in Shanghai, dating back more than 150 years.
After entering the school, the principal Ye Jingyu came out to greet him and said, "Brother Heqing, why did you arrive early?"
Cai Yuanpei said: "I finally caught this guy Li Yu, so I quickly brought him to you."
Li Yu smiled and said: "You can say that I am like a monkey."
Ye Jingyuan was shocked: "It's actually the Imperial Master Li Yu! That's great! You are a big shot that I would never dare to invite."
Li Yu said: "The principal is too polite."
Several people entered the school, and Ye Jingyuan immediately asked the school staff to summon all the teachers and students in the school.
Ye Jingyuan said: "We have just established new subjects such as Natural History and Gezhi, but teachers and students encountered many difficulties in teaching, so I asked Brother Heqing to help."
Cai Yuanpei said: "Now in China, no, the most knowledgeable person in the world is already in front of me. I don't think there is anything wrong with me."
Li Yu quickly said: "Brother Heqing knows more about education. Although I understand physics, I may not be able to teach physics. These are two different things."
Cai Yuanpei didn't care: "The prerequisite for being able to teach is to be able to teach. Now there are not many people who can even teach. Why should we consider whether we can teach?"
It was so reasonable that Li Yu could not refute it, so he had to agree: "Brother Heqing will talk about education first, and I will talk about physics. Is this okay?"
"It's a deal," Cai Yuanpei said.
After Ye Jingyuan gave the opening speech, Cai Yuanpei followed. They mainly talked about the importance of Western learning and the introduction of disciplines.
When it was Li Yu's turn to take the stage, he really didn't know what to say. The audience was full of children around ten years old or even younger. It would be fine if he gave a speech at a university, but if it didn't work, just treat it as a TED talk. Now he can only talk about some physics. short story.
Li Yu suddenly had an idea and said: "I'm afraid you will feel bored if I talk about physics directly. How about we do some interesting physics experiments. In fact, physics is everywhere in life, because physics itself explains everything in the world that we can come into contact with. The knowledge of truth.”
Li Yu used a rope to hang up a cup, then filled it with water and rotated it quickly so that no water in the cup could spill out.
Then he said: "Some people may have seen such a phenomenon, but the principle behind it is actually centripetal force and inertia. This is the great Newtonian law of mechanics that can explain the operation of the universe."
Not only the students in the audience, but also the teachers became more and more interested.
Li Yu also demonstrated experiments such as cutting out an annular band from a piece of paper, placing it on a wooden stick, and placing a candle underneath, so that the annular band would rotate.
These are easy to explain. In the end, Li Yu found a box of matches and did the famous experiment of using only three matches, without relying on bonding or stacking of heavy objects, and lifting heavy objects by the table. After everyone saw it, They were all stunned.
Li Yu said: "I want you to explain the principle of this experiment yourself later."
Many students exclaimed: "Physics turns out to be so interesting, it looks like magic!"
Li Yu said: "It's a pity that I didn't prepare any materials today, otherwise in the chemistry subject, many experiments would really be like magic."
After several experiments, the students have completely aroused their strong interest in physics. Even if it is difficult, they must pursue it seriously.
After the lecture, several people walked out of the auditorium, and Ye Jingyuan praised: "The Imperial Master is worthy of being an Imperial Master. He can teach the emperor as well as children."
Li Yu said: "There are many similar experiments. I will write a book specifically in the future and have it printed by the Commercial Press. I think you can use it."
Even Cai Yuanpei said he liked it very much: "I also want to introduce it to Nanyang Public School."
An eight-year-old boy suddenly ran over and said, "Master Imperial Master, my father said that the physics you study is very profound. Now, does it still sound very simple?"
Ye Jingyuan scolded: "Qisun, don't talk nonsense! These are just the simplest things, and they are still far away from real physics."
Li Yu was shocked. Ye Jingyu's son was called Qisun, and together they were Ye Qisun!
Later one of the Four Philosophers of Tsinghua University and the founder of modern physics in China!
Li Yu smiled at the young Ye Qisun and said: "Physics is actually very simple. You can definitely understand it. Even the most cutting-edge electronic theory can be understood by you."
Ye Qisun asked: "Electrons? What is that?"
Li Yu said, "Have you ever seen lightning?"
Ye Qisun nodded: "I've seen it."
Li Yu said: "The sparks of lightning are bright and dazzling, and some small particles in the sparks are electrons. Electrons are small electrically charged things, and they are the components of atoms. Atoms, oh, all matter is composed of atoms, you see Trees, houses, and you and me are all made of atoms.”
"Can I see atoms?" Ye Qisun asked, blinking his innocent eyes.
Li Yu said patiently: "What you can't see is that atoms are too small."
"Then can I see electrons? I've seen lightning!" Ye Qisun showed even greater curiosity.
"No, it can't be seen, because electrons are smaller than atoms. Let me give you an analogy. Atoms are like this big school, and electrons are like all the lively students in the school."
"So that's what it's like! Haha, I understand the most advanced physics theory!" Ye Qisun laughed happily, and then said to Ye Jingyuan, "Father, I can understand everything! It's not as difficult as what you said, I can't You must learn to be virtuous."
"You are so smart!" Ye Jingyuan immediately encouraged him, but he knew that this was all Li Yu's clever guidance, so he said, "Master Imperial Master, thank you for your tireless and persuasive teachings."
"It takes a little effort," Li Yu said.
I didn't expect that I would be able to help young Ye Qisun even if I wasted these two days in Shanghai, it was worth it. Of course, this is not all, Li Yu will help them exert greater energy in the future.
(End of chapter)
