Eight Directions Stir

In the following days, Li Qiwei thrived at Cavendish Laboratory.

He also didn't forget his junior, Chris. After getting Thomson's approval, Li Qiwei would often assign him simple physics experiments.

How much Chris could learn depended on his own comprehension.

Despite this, the young man was moved to tears, vowing to study hard and not disgrace Li Qiwei.

After becoming more familiar, Li Qiwei often discussed problems with Rutherford, Wilson, and others, sometimes even pulling in their mentor, Thomson.

After a deeper understanding, Li Qiwei had now officially entered Thomson's core research, beginning to study his atomic Plum Pudding Model.

Currently, although the existence of atoms had not yet been mathematically proven—that wouldn't happen until Einstein published his paper on Brownian motion in 1905—physicists had already detected the existence of atoms through various means and could begin studying their properties.

Thomson had discovered that electrons existed within atoms and carried a negative charge.

This presented a problem: in what form did electrons move or remain stable within an atom?

Thomson proposed the Plum Pudding Model: the atom's mass and positive charge were uniformly distributed throughout its internal space, like a spherical cake; the electrons were like raisins dotted randomly on the surface of the cake.

Li Qiwei, of course, knew this model was wrong and would later be overturned by Rutherford.

However, as he truly studied it, combined with the context of the era, he unexpectedly found the theory to be perfect.

It could not only easily explain the atom's electric field distribution but also allow for orbital analysis using classical mechanics.

No wonder it would take over a decade for the Planetary Model to replace it.

Therefore, Li Qiwei sighed inwardly, realizing that physics truly couldn't be achieved overnight.

He increasingly suspected Einstein was an alien, but his two encounters offered no evidence, forcing him to attribute it to genius.

The theories they studied in later generations were only retained after countless erroneous theories had been discarded.

Learning only the correct things without understanding why the wrong theories were wrong was, in fact, an incomplete, rote education.

At this time, his and Rutherford, Wilson, and others' work involved designing more experiments to verify the Plum Pudding Model.

Li Qiwei felt no pride, dismissing these experiments with disdain. Instead, he diligently carried them out, analyzing them with his foreknowledge, which made him feel very satisfied.

As Li Qiwei was engrossed in physics research, a small-scale discussion was being held elsewhere at Oxford University.

The topic was how to refute the concept of Quantum and Quantum Mechanics.

Lucas, the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, a middle-aged man with a heroic appearance, was passionately stating his views.

"My dear professors, this is no longer just an academic dispute; it is a battle for the honor of Oxford versus Cambridge."

"I know that everyone present is either a highly respected senior in physics or a young talent of exceptional ability."

"You have your own pride in academia and physics, disdaining the sophistry of literature professors."

"But who can guarantee that Quantum Mechanics is definitively correct?"

"At the very least, you could raise some questions for that Bruce Li to answer."

Everyone present was a treasure of Oxford's physics department, and Lucas could only rely on them to regain face.

Unfortunately, many professors agreed with the concept of Quantum.

Others simply didn't care, believing physics had long since concluded and Quantum Mechanics was a pipe dream, unworthy of debate.

The remaining large portion genuinely believed Li Qiwei was wrong and had found considerable evidence.

Now, Lucas hoped more people would join in to increase the opposition.

The funding for Cambridge made Lucas's heart tremble; it was a full five times that of Oxford University.

Even the university council had questioned him personally about why their academic level lagged behind Cambridge and urged him to take remedial action.

Thus, there was subsequent encouragement for questioning the Quantum Mechanics theory.

Now that everyone had decided to hold a public debate in a conference format, Lucas could only agree.

He could only influence Oxford University's professors and scholars; others wouldn't heed his opinion.

Therefore, this mobilization meeting was extremely important.

One opposing professor said, "Mr. Lucas, rest assured, academic disputes are normal."

"If the theory can be proven wrong, that would be best, but if it's proven correct, it would be a great boon to physics."

"Regardless, we will give it our all."

A supporting professor said, "I agree with academic disputes, but we cannot fabricate things or act on impulse."

Lucas was helpless. Although he was the Vice-Chancellor, he had no authority over these professors and could only continue to persuade them kindly.

Besides them, many other universities and individuals were sharpening their knives. Some were adherents of classical physics, while others were madmen attempting to subvert physics.

Of course, there was also a group of people who supported Li Qiwei.

At Berlin University, in Planck's office, a few people sat chatting casually.

"Planck, do you have confidence in this trip to London?" asked the great Röntgen.

"I don't think they'll need me. My disciple isn't someone to be trifled with; he should be ready to face any doubts," Planck said with great ease.

Boltzmann took a deep drag and chuckled, "The physics academic circle hasn't been this lively in a long time. It's truly a grand event."

Röntgen added, "This is also intentional on the part of the British. They want to show the whole world their influence."

"When we go this time, we'll show them that the center of physics will always be in Germany."

The three erupted in laughter. The battle for physics had made even these old timers feel their blood boil.

In Paris University, France, four people sat casually.

They were 48-year-old Becquerel, 41-year-old Curie, 33-year-old Marie Curie, and Curie's most promising doctoral student, 28-year-old Langevin.

Becquerel was the first to discover natural radioactivity and, together with the Curies, won the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Therefore, the three had an extremely close relationship, often conducting experiments and discussing physics research together.

At this moment, Curie opened his mouth and teased, "I didn't expect the three of us to be invited by Lord Kelvin. It's truly flattering."

He then turned to Langevin and said, "This is your best opportunity to learn."

Marie Curie glanced at Langevin before continuing, "I'm also very eager to see what kind of young man Bruce is."

Becquerel, as the eldest, laughed, "This is a grand event for physics. Every physicist should make their voice heard."

"I can't wait to witness the spectacle."

In Switzerland, Einstein and Grossman had prepared everything and were just waiting to depart for Britain.

In the Netherlands, Belgium, and countless other countries, scholars and even industrialists interested in physics were eagerly anticipating this conference.

Truly a globally watched event!

Thanks to [Book Friend 161029122525434] and [Yuan Ding] for the monthly tickets. Thanks to all new and old book friends for the recommendation tickets.