Free Web NovelChapter 724: Chapter 399: There is No Such Thing as Perfection in the World
"Einstein’s field equations describe gravity and gravitational fields.
In Newton’s law of universal gravitation, mass is the source of gravity, that is, gravity can be generated with mass, while Einstein’s theory of relativity further points out that both momentum and energy can serve as the source of gravity, and interpret the ’gravitational field’ as ’spacetime distortion’.
By using Einstein’s field equations, as long as we know the distribution of matter and energy in spacetime, we can theoretically calculate the curvature of spacetime, and the outcome of spacetime bending is gravity.
The interpretation of Einstein’s field equations is not complicated, but in reality, what it describes is extremely complex, as it can be simply decomposed into a set of ten equations.
With such complex equations, mathematicians and physicists have conducted dozens to hundreds of years of research.
Qiu Chengwen has studied Einstein’s field equations. He mainly used mathematical methods to analyze them, and finally proved an important result of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity—
Any solution to the Einstein equations must have positive energy.
What does it mean?
Positive energy represents the existence of energy, rather than anti-energy. Just like an apple placed on a table, its number is always positive, and there can never be ’-1’ apple.
Although these may sound like nonsense, in terms of mathematical thinking, they are very valuable. From the understanding of the laws of the universe, with only positive energy and no negative energy, there will never be an ideal zero state, which is a steady state, which means spacetime is always unstable.
Hence, the eternity seen by people is always in motion.
Qiu Chengwen’s verification of Einstein’s field equations is tremendously valued in the field of theoretical physics. Stephen Hawking, the famous ’black hole physicist’, discussed the issue of Einstein’s equations face to face with him, because the ’proof of the equation’s positive energy ’ is directly related to the proof of black holes.
Now Zhao Yi also needs similar theoretical content. He came to find Qiu Chengwen mainly to exchange views on Einstein’s equations, and further extend it, discuss cosmology.
While walking on the road, the two of them have already started the discussion.
This is mutual exchange.
Qiu Chengwen achieved results in studying Einstein’s equations, but the equations are extremely intricate, entailing not only the ’characteristics of analytical solutions’ issue, but also many other problems.
Zhao Yi also has his own understanding of Einstein’s equations, and his understanding is related to particle mathematics research. He also hopes that Qiu Chengwen’s understanding can bring him some inspiration.
Theoretical physicists are not one plus one, more accurately speaking, there is no definite answer. Each top theoretical physicist has unique insights into complex problems.
Or to put it in another way, everyone’s way of thinking is different, so their views on things will also be different.
The two of them exchanged views all the way.
When they got to the office, Qiu Chengwen began to work through the equations on the whiteboard, while Zhao Yi stood by watching, occasionally offering his own opinions. Soon the roles were reversed, with Zhao Yi doodling on the whiteboard and Qiu Chengwen commenting from the side.
A few math professors and teachers who also came along were interested in listening, but later simply stopped listening.
Because, they couldn’t keep up with the train of thought.
Zhao Yi and Qiu Chengwen seemed to be discussing a problem, alternating points of view, but the content involved complex mathematics and logic. Once they lost track, they couldn’t understand it.
The others could only shake their heads and laugh bitterly in the end.
Zhao Yi furrowed his brows the whole time as he seriously discussed with Qiu Chengwen. He spoke and contemplated his own problems at the same time. The main reason he came to look for Qiu Chengwen was because—
The research path had come to a halt!
Zhao Yi and Edward Witten were collaborating on researching multi-dimensional space boundary problems, but his research has reached its limit. He elaborated on the energy distribution of external particles, substantiated the problem of supersymmetry, and introduced the concept of mass to the particle’s boundary theory.
Afterwards, this should merge with the research of Edward Witten. The two together should clarify the mathematical problem of the Higgs field.
But...
The research of Edward Witten has been at a standstill, though he always says ’significant findings have been made’ and ’very good ideas have been conceived’, up until now, related boundary mass logic has not been fully realized, and there isn’t even a basic framework.
Zhao Yi could only continue to study his own particle boundary theory and keep improving the Mass-Energy Structure Theory.
At the same time, his research thought is heavily influenced by Edward Witten. The positioning of the origin of mass has always been ’thrown out from high dimensional space’. The positioning of the origin of mass directly impacts research.
Now that he’s found the ’path is blocked’, he needs to find another path, such as redefining the origin of mass, or simply abandoning the subject of the origin of mass and focus on researching energy structure.
Regardless, the issue of mass cannot be avoided.
Even if the origin of mass was not to be proved, there still needs to be a supplement to the explanation of mass, or the influence that mass brings to space, that is, the analysis of gravitation.
During the discussion with Qiu Chengwen, Zhao Yi kept contemplating these issues while also absorbing what Qiu Chengwen was saying, "I believe that mass and the action of strong force cannot be separated."
"Just like Einstein’s field equations, both momentum and energy can twist spacetime, and not only mass."
"But at the same time, all these can be attributed to mass: as long as it causes spacetime distortion, it can be understood as mass."
"Therefore, there’s the possibility of the conversion of mass and energy, as well as the possibility of Einstein’s mass-energy equation..."
Qiu Chengwen was definitely passionate about Zhao Yi, while elucidating his understanding, he even said something from his ’private stash’", "Look at this equation, which I discovered many years ago."
He wrote a complex equation on the whiteboard and then explained each part, "This is a wonderful equation, it has almost a closed-loop logic, and if you analyze it carefully you can find out that mass and energy form a complement to each other... it’s just a pity..."
"What’s a pity?"
Zhao Yi instinctively asked, and then explained in a murmur, "Mass cannot be entirely constituted by energy and force, and particles can’t exist in the absolutely static steady state, so it’s wrong."
"Correct!"
Qiu Chengwen gave Zhao Yi a thumbs-up, sincerely admiring him. The equation just now was so complicated that it would take a long time just to understand it, let alone find out where the problem was. He sighed, "There is no perfect thing in the world, and I always believe that its perfection is its biggest failure."
"Well, not necessarily..."
Zhao Yi was staring at the equation, deep in thought, "Maybe there’s still something to discover if we continue the research."
"Impossible, at least for me," Qiu Chengwen gave a bitter smile, "This was something discovered more than twenty years ago. The fact that I can still write it from memory shows that it’s constantly studied. But..."
He shook his head repeatedly.
"You should write it down. You have more talent than me, perhaps you can discover something from it," Qiu Chengwen suggested with a look of anticipation. frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Thank you."
Zhao Yi nodded seriously, pointing to his head, "It’s already been noted down."
...
Qiu Chengwen was certainly knowledgeable about theoretical physics, he had unique insights into Einstein’s field equations and cosmology.
Zhao Yi felt he had learned a great deal.
Beyond the theoretical viewpoints, the ’Perfect Logic Equation’ Qiu Chengwen presented at the end was indeed worth careful contemplation. It wasn’t so much the equation that merited scrutiny, but rather the concept of ’Perfect Logic’.
"There’s nothing perfect in this world, its perfection is its greatest failure?"
"So philosophical..."
Theoretical physics itself seems to carry a hint of philosophy. The more Zhao Yi pondered over this statement, the more correct he found it to be, it tied in with his own particle boundary theory, the explanation of energy was also imperfect. It was the pursuit of perfection that gradually improved the theory.
Once he returned to Yanhua University, Zhao Yi promptly wrote down the contents. Though his memory was good, writing it down was a safer bet, otherwise he’d be quite bummed if he ever forgot about it.
College life was quite uninteresting.
In his dorm room, Li Renzhe was always engrossed in studying. His goal was to pass the graduate school admission exam, at least make the cut, so he could have Zhao Yi as his advisor in his postgraduate studies.
Although Zhao Yi hadn’t yet decided if he’d be taking students after his senior year, Li Renzhe had decided it for him anyway.
Fan Lei, on the other hand, had gone to Country D to receive an award.
Of the three of them, Zhao Yi spent most of his time doing research. But research required inspiration, it wasn’t something that could be achieved just by holing up in the room. He went about his daily life as usual, taking moments to think whenever he had the time.
One day, Zhao Yi went to the Biomedical Research Institute’s laboratory to check on the progress of a small project.
The lab’s major projects had all been completed, and they hadn’t applied for any other projects for the time being. But Zhang Wei, Liu Chengjie and Yan Yi were all working on their own projects. Small projects funded in the tens or hundreds of thousands were excellent for honing skills and adding research achievements to the lab’s record. Zhao Yi, being a researcher in the lab, tended to take an interest in everything everybody else was working on.
The progress of these small projects was going quite smoothly. If there were any issues, Zhao would take a look and see if he could provide some suggestions.
Zhao Yi was browsing the experiment data when he noticed Liu Chengjie seemed to be in a sour mood. "Brother Liu, what’s wrong? You seem upset."
"It’s nothing."
Liu Chengjie managed a forced smile.
Zhao Yi didn’t pay it much mind and went back to examining the experiment data. After a while, Liu Chengjie left the lab, Zhang Wei quickly walked over, her eyes full of gossip, she whispered, "Did you hear what happened?"
"What happened? Are you talking about Brother Liu?"
"Yeah."
Zhang Wei nodded vigorously, she glanced towards the door, continuing, "He confessed his feelings to someone but was rejected."
"Sister Yan?"
"Right."
Zhao Yi became interested, "How did you find out?"
"Yan Yi told me," Zhang Wei replied, "She said she doesn’t have feelings for Liu Chengjie. But, I think maybe she likes... "
"Likes who?"
"She likes..." Zhang Wei dragged out her words, then blurted out an unexpected name, "Fan Lei."
"Fan Lei?"
Zhao Yi opened his mouth in surprise, "There’s a big age gap, isn’t there? Fan Lei is the same age as me."
Zhang Wei shot him a glance, her voice suddenly becoming softer, frustratedly murmuring, "Well, I can understand her feelings". She quickly changed the subject, "But it’s unlikely with Fan Lei. Liu Chengjie is actually quite good, he’s a great match for Yan Yi, it’s just that they’re in the same lab..."
She went on and on.
Zhao Yi patiently listened, nodding along occasionally, chiming in with his own opinion. When Liu Chengjie came back into the lab, Zhang Wei quickly switched to a serious tone, "The project is almost complete, we can start preparing for the next phase."
"Right, we need to write a good project report and focus on the research paper."
They shared a few words.
After Zhang Wei walked away, Zhao Yi thought carefully and something felt off, "Yan Yi likes Fan Lei? She can understand her feelings?"
"Does that mean..."
Zhao Yi thought with a sense of surprise. He quickly pulled out his phone and used the screen as a mirror to look at his face, sighing, "Being too handsome can be quite bothersome for a man!"
