1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 84 Finalists for the Nobel Prize in Physics
September 1901, 9, Royal Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

The quaint building exudes a strong scientific atmosphere.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was founded in 1739. At its inception, its members mainly included aristocrats, bureaucrats, and some university professors.

Because the powerful people at that time were all well educated and their joining could bring great benefits to the Academy of Sciences, they were not criticized.

However, with the development of the times, the original personnel structure no longer meets the requirements of the Academy of Sciences.

So in the mid-nineteenth century, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences carried out a major reform, requiring that those selected as academicians must be outstanding representatives of various disciplines in Sweden.

In simple terms, if you don’t have real talent and knowledge (in the field of natural sciences), you cannot be elected as an academician.

From then on, the Academy of Sciences entered a new period of formal development and became synonymous with authority in the academic field.

The entire academy of sciences has only one full-time secretary to handle daily affairs, and all other academicians, including the president, are amateurs.

They do not receive any salary and have no administrative power, they simply dedicate themselves to science.

Academician is an honorary title, there is no distinction between high and low.

Only bachelor, master, doctor, lecturer and professor are academic career levels.

Of course, none of this affects the value and academic authority of each academician.

And now, in a conference room of the Academy of Sciences, the authoritative academicians are worrying about the final candidates for the Nobel Prize.

The five members of the first Nobel Prize in Physics Committee were all nominated by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. They are:
Eric, professor at Lund University, Sweden; Haviland, professor at the Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; Savage, professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; Olof, professor at Stockholm University, Sweden; and Öster, professor at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark (foreign academicians).

Among them, Eric was the one who wrote to Thomson at the beginning. He hoped to hear the advice of his old friend.

And Haviland is Anders' uncle, and Anders is the playboy who provoked Ridgway at the French Radiology Conference.

At this time, Eric said, "Everyone, based on the previous rounds of selection, only six results are left."

"In fact, we have already extended the deadline. Logically, we should have finalized the candidate in August."

“However, considering that this is the first time, the Academy of Sciences has allowed us to extend the period, but only until the end of this month.”

"According to the rules of the award, only two works can win the award at the same time; if one work is completed by two or three people, they should be awarded together."

“But there can only be a maximum of three winners at a time.”

"So everyone, let's take a closer look at the information we have, and please state the reasons for your recommendation again."

Eric took the lead in looking through the information, which detailed the information and achievements of each candidate:

Name, age, nationality, professional status, major achievements, etc.

1. Roentgen, 56 years old, Germany, professor at the University of Munich, discovered X-rays and their applications.

2. Thomson, 45, UK, professor at Cambridge University, for theoretical and experimental research on gas conductivity and the discovery of the electron.

3. Becquerel (49 years old, France, professor at the École Polytechnique), Pierre Curie (42 years old, France, professor at the University of Paris), and Marie Curie (34 years old, France, lecturer at the École Normale Supérieure de Sèvres), for their joint research on the discovered radioactive phenomenon.

4. Lorentz (48 years old, professor at Leiden University, Netherlands) and Zeeman (36 years old, professor at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands), for their joint research on the effect of magnetic fields on radiation phenomena.

5. Max Planck (43 years old, German, professor at the University of Berlin) and Ridgway (21 years old, Qing Dynasty, doctoral student at the University of Cambridge) jointly discovered quantum theory and promoted the development of physics.

6. David Ridgwell (21, Qing Dynasty, PhD student at Cambridge University), for his achievements in theoretical physics, especially his explanation of the law of the photoelectric effect and his proposal of the wave-particle duality concept of light.

After reading the information in his hand, Eric frowned and felt conflicted.

If it were not for the restrictions of the award rules, all six achievements should have won the award and the process would have been very simple.

But now, if the first Nobel Prize in Physics cannot select a result that satisfies all physicists, it will probably be difficult to continue holding it.

He spoke first: "Let me first give you my personal opinion."

"Among the six candidate results, Roentgen's X-rays were the first to be confirmed, and they opened the door to new phenomena in physics."

"Before this, physics had been dominated by three major branches, and there was nothing they could not explain."

"So, I think Roentgen can be one of the final candidates."

The remaining four people were slightly stunned. Eric said "one of them", which meant he wanted to add another achievement. Could it be his good friend Thompson?
Everyone knows about his relationship with the other party, but does this raise suspicion of nepotism?

Unexpectedly, Eric continued, "As for the second result, I think quantum theory is very suitable."

"Its proposal officially opened up modern physics and broke the continuous view of space and time that had existed for hundreds of years. It is of extraordinary significance."

“The discovery of X-rays, radioactivity, and electrons are the manifestations of modern physics phenomena, while quantum theory theoretically proved the future of physics for the first time.”

"Therefore, I propose that Roentgen, Planck and Ridgway be the final candidates in recognition of their extraordinary achievements."

As soon as the words fell, the sound of several people whispering could be heard in the conference room.

After a while, Haviland said, "Professor Eric, I have a different opinion."

Eric motioned for him to continue, and the other three listened quietly. "I have no objection to Roentgen being the final candidate, but there is a problem with Bruce Lee."

"Forgive me for calling him by his English name, because his Qing name is too difficult to pronounce."

"First, quantum theory was proposed less than a year ago. Although the photoelectric effect has been verified, it is still not sufficient and has not stood the test of time."

"Secondly, Bruce Lee is a Qing Chinese. I think everyone here knows what the situation is like there."

"If the highest scientific award in the Western world was awarded to a Qing Dynasty person, I think many people would question the fairness and authority of the award."

"If it's more serious, it may even have a negative political impact."

"Finally, I heard that Bruce Lee was very arrogant and often spoke outrageously. When he was still an undergraduate, he challenged Lord Kelvin and other physics predecessors on the spot."

"Those are the reasons why I think he's not a good fit."

"As for the results 1-4, I think there is no difference in importance, but Roentgen's discovery was indeed the earliest, so it is more reasonable to give him the first Nobel Prize."

When Haviland finished his opinion, the meeting room fell silent, and the others seemed to smell an unusual smell.

Even Eric couldn't help but look at Haviland, who had a calm expression, as if he had just stated the facts without any bias.

At this time, Oster suddenly said: "Professor Haviland, I think what you just said is a bit biased."

Haviland did not get angry or moved when he heard this. Instead, he responded with a smile and expressed his willingness to hear more details.

Oster continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, we must always remember Mr. Nobel's request in his will."

"He once said: The Physics Prize is given to those who have made the most significant discoveries or inventions in the field of physics. The nationality of the award candidate is not taken into consideration. Whoever meets the most requirements should receive the prize."

“If even nationality is not important, then professional identity, gender, age, and personality of the candidate are even less important.”

"What I object to more is that academic awards should not be associated with politics."

"Whether there is a war between the East and the West now, that is a matter for some people, not something scientists need to consider."

"Of course, unless an unforgivable war such as the destruction of a nation or genocide occurs, then we need to consider the impact."

"In terms of pure scientific achievement and importance, quantum theory is superior to the other five achievements."

"I think everyone here should have no objection to this."

"We just follow the simplest principle and give the award to whoever performs the best."

"So, I suggest that the final candidates are Plank and Bruce Lee."

"Also, let me add that the fact that the first Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to a Qing Chinese actually highlights the supremacy of the Nobel Prize."

"It transcends all prejudices, and all physicists around the world will strive for it in the future."

“Narrow-mindedness prevents the advancement of science.”

call!
When Oster finished his deafening words, the people present were visibly moved.

It can be said that Auster and Haviland are a collision between two completely different values.

However, perhaps because Ørsted was at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and not in Sweden, there would be no conflict with Haviland.

That's why he is so direct.

If it were the other three, even if they disagreed, they would probably express it in a very tactful way.

Haviland's face remained calm and he did not lose his composure because of the public opposition.

At this time, the conference room fell into silence again.

There are three selection members and three opinions, so the remaining Savage and Orloff are particularly important.

Because the principle of the Nobel Prize in Physics Committee is: raise hands in favor, and the minority obeys the majority.

And there is no need to worry about malicious manipulation, because the final candidate selected by the five-member group must be voted on and approved by all members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Therefore, throughout the entire process, no one has the power to control everyone.

Savage said: "I agree with Professor Oster's point of view that academic research should only focus on the size of the results and eliminate all prejudices."

"But from the perspective of the classification of theory and experiment, I am more inclined to Professor Eric's suggestion."

"The Nobel Prize in Physics should show that theoretical and experimental results are given equal attention, and each has its own criteria for judging."

Finally, Orlov, who had been silent, also expressed his views.

After repeated discussions, five people voted by raising their hands.

(End of this chapter)