Once Lord Rayleigh and the other two great figures had given their tacit approval, the dispute over Quantum Theory finally came to an end.
As the principle behind the Photoelectric Effect was clearly demonstrated on the blackboard, every physicist present understood that the world of physics was about to change.
It was an entirely new physical theory, one whose significance was beyond measure.
The professors from Oxford University had been downcast, but soon rallied again.
"Oh, my God. What sort of genius were we arguing with? Now that I think about it, I'm a little ashamed."
"It's hard to imagine he's only a twenty-year-old undergraduate. I'm afraid he's not far behind Newton."
"In terms of influence, there's still quite a gap. After all, both Quantum Theory and the Photoelectric Effect apply to the microscopic world, and so far have little impact on the world around us."
"Regardless, a new theory is a major advance for physics. We should learn about it, too."
The one who had come off worse from their failure to refute Quantum Theory was Vice-Chancellor Lucas. As for them, they were professors, and now they had the chance to study an entirely new physical theory. Their excitement was beyond words.
Besides, perhaps they could use this to offer a few more courses and earn more tuition. Rumor had it that Newton had invented calculus to bring in more money for the college, since students who failed their exams had to retake them—and pay again.
Seeing that no one had any more questions, Lord Kelvin prepared to declare the debate over.
There had been far too much to take in at this meeting, especially the Photoelectric Effect at the end. They would need time to digest it properly.
Suddenly, Li Qiwei made a request. "My lord, there's something I'd like to say about the Photoelectric Effect."
"Oh?" Lord Kelvin was taken aback, then said, "Bruce, please, go ahead. I'm sure everyone here would be glad to hear what you have to say."
His words drew a burst of laughter.
Li Qiwei awkwardly rubbed his nose, then said solemnly, "What I want to say at the end is really a proposal."
"As everyone knows, ever since physics began, theory and experiment have gone hand in hand, testing and confirming each other."
"The great physicists of the past were often both the ones who proposed a theory and the ones who verified it through experiments."
"But as scholarship has continued to develop and physics has grown ever deeper and more specialized, even the giants of the field have found it difficult to do both."
"Furthermore, physics today tends to place greater emphasis on theory and phenomena, while neglecting experiments and the design of apparatus."
"Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and Maxwell's equations of electromagnetism were both magnificent achievements of pure theory."
"By comparison, the experimental verification of these theories often seemed more like an afterthought."
"Or to put it another way, physicists who conduct experiments attract far less attention than those who work on theory."
"I believe this is wrong."
"For instance, my senior fellow student, Wilson. Though he may not match me in theory, when it comes to designing instruments and experiments, I couldn't hold a candle to him."
At this, everyone knew what Li Qiwei was getting at, and couldn't help but be moved by his generosity of spirit.
Wilson looked at him in disbelief, his heart filled with gratitude.
Li Qiwei continued, "Therefore, I'd like to propose that physics research in the future be divided into Theoretical Physics and experimental physics."
"Theoretical physicists focus on exploring the unknown structures, interactions, and motion of matter in nature through theory, or on discovering new phenomena."
"Experimental physicists explore the material world and the laws of nature through experiments, while also verifying the correctness of theories and phenomena."
"Both should have equal standing. They are equally important parts of physics."
Once he finished, thunderous applause erupted again, especially from the teachers who taught laboratory courses at universities. They wholeheartedly agreed.
Indeed, people who conducted physics experiments were often considered lacking in ability, fit only for doing manual work.
Now, a theoretical physicist who might be the greatest genius in the world had stepped forward of his own accord to speak up for experimental physics. How could anyone not be moved?
Wilson even clapped until his palms turned red. He decided that once he got back, he would have a few drinks with Li Qiwei.
Looking at the expressions around him, Li Qiwei was deeply moved as well.
He had brought forward the division of physics into its modern fields by twenty or thirty years in order to accelerate its development.
In this era, university laboratories were not as numerous as one might imagine. Most laboratories were privately owned.
The great figures would conduct an experiment or two when they felt like it, then go off to wine and women when they didn't. They did not treat experimentation as a branch of physical science.
And because communication was inconvenient compared with later times, once a theory was proposed, no one was necessarily able—or even thought—to immediately test it through experiments.
As a result, progress in physics was slow.
Historically, Einstein had proposed a theoretical explanation of the Photoelectric Effect in 1905, but it wasn't experimentally verified until 1916, by the American physicist Millikan.
There were certainly many reasons for this, but the slow progress caused by the lack of regard for experiments was undoubtedly a major factor.
So he added, "To show how much I value experimental physics, I've decided that I myself will not take part in experimentally verifying the Photoelectric Effect."
"If any of you can design an experiment to prove it, then the corresponding achievement and honors will be yours."
The hall erupted.
Everyone was stunned by Li Qiwei's boldness.
An analogy made the weight of his words clear.
In 1865, Maxwell had predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves through theory. In 1888, Hertz had experimentally proved their existence, making a great name for himself and joining the ranks of the top physicists.
It was no exaggeration to say that verifying a great theory was itself a great achievement.
And now, Li Qiwei had announced that he would not take part in the experiment.
How could anyone not be astonished?
But on second thought, Li Qiwei already had two great theoretical achievements to his name: Quantum Theory and the Photoelectric Effect. (After the meeting, he decided not to call it Quantum Mechanics for now, until the theory had been further refined.)
He no longer needed any additional honors. He was already one of the greatest physicists of the age, on a par with great figures like Röntgen.
From this moment on, at least in the world of physics, Li Qiwei was worthy of the words: "Who beneath heaven does not know you?"
Of course, since he was still so young, his fame would lag a little behind. But that would all come in time.
But for everyone else, things were different.
Millikan, seated below, had a burning look in his eyes. He planned to start designing an experiment as soon as he got back to the United States.
Quantum Theory and the Photoelectric Effect were sure to become the leading topics in physics in the days ahead. If he could prove the effect, his professorship would be secure.
Sadly, even Li Qiwei himself had no idea whether the flutter of his butterfly's wings would alter the course of history.
Before long, the day's meeting came to an end amid a lively atmosphere.
Li Qiwei looked at Planck and smiled with relief. Then the two of them walked off the stage together.
Only after shaking hands and getting to know the great figures below one by one did Li Qiwei finally come back to himself.
The intense debate had nearly drained all his energy. His mind had been racing so furiously it felt ready to explode.
Even as a time traveler, facing this group of the very finest human minds had felt like Mount Tai bearing down on him—heart-stopping and overwhelming.
Of course, if Li Qiwei had thrown caution to the wind and revealed too many secrets of the future, he would have been under no pressure at all. But the British military would probably have taken him away on the spot.
Next, everyone went to help themselves to afternoon tea and took a short break. After that came the regular academic exchange session.
After all, the Royal Society was hosting a conference on such a grand scale for more than just Li Qiwei.
It was also a golden opportunity for the world's top physicists to exchange ideas and discuss scholarship, while boosting Britain's scientific influence.
The dining room was filled with more than the aroma of delicious food; there was also the refreshing fragrance of knowledge. Li Qiwei chatted and laughed with the great figures.
Just then, Lord Kelvin approached him with a smile. Beside him stood a man who looked to be around sixty. "Bruce, let me introduce you to a friend."
The older man spoke. "Hello, Mr. Bruce. I'm Ernest Solvay."
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