Fox of France

Chapter 16, Fudimo's Essay (2)

At least so far, I haven't found any problems in mathematics. Several of his gadgets are also very good. Laplace said, Just using waves to explain light, there are still many phenomena that are difficult to explain, such as What properties must the ether have to transmit such rapid fluctuations as light. And he explained light as a transverse wave, so why are there no longitudinal waves in the ether?

Ah, my friend, you have too many questions, and none of them can be solved in a short period of time. I don't even think this is a difficult problem that we can hope to see a solution in our lifetime. Lavoisier said, That's really a big problem with the wave theory. The aether is such a unique thing, it's almost God-like. It transmits light at incredible speeds—I mean, if light was a wave— —This means it is very hard, many times harder than diamond. It fills the whole universe and is so hard, but it will not cause obstacles to anything in the universe, and it will not block even the tiniest dust movement - in fact, we can't find any resistance from the 'ether' at all right now. It's a real headache... Ah, my friend, I suggest that we stop thinking about that damn' for now Aether' problem. Our current knowledge and means are too far away from it. We study it now, just like a kitten that has just been weaned, but is studying how to catch a whale.

Mr. Lavoisier, a whale is not a fish. Laplace laughed.

Of course I know that. Lavoisier also smiled, But...but he doesn't know about the little cat.

Yes, he doesn't know about the little cat. Laplace said, Aren't we also the little cat? We don't know either.

So, I always think that experiments come first. All theories must be tested by experiments in the end. At least his calculations have been tested well with which 'Bonaparte spot'. As for 'ether', or ' Whether there are other Bonaparte spots, double-slit interference, and Newton rings, from the particle point of view, it depends on other people's explanation. Lavoisier said, But even on this issue , he was ultimately wrong, and that mistake has value in itself.

I agree with that, said Laplace. Then he looked down at the paper and said: I will come up with a new explanation. But for now, please allow me to finish the proof calculation of this paper. Then we will take this paper to Meng Day, Cullen, and Monsieur Condorcet...

...

However, with Monge and Cullen, the situation has changed.

Honestly, those few mathematical gadgets in this paper are interesting, and there are some more interesting things in the back. How good it would be if this paper honestly discussed mathematics. It is really worth a paper Monge He frowned and said, But he used it to prove such an absurd point of view, this is really...

If he is willing to revise this paper, that would be great. Cullen also said.

We should ask him to come and have a talk, let him revise this thesis, and then we can give him the bonus. Laplace glanced at Lavoisier and added, After all, alone Those few gadgets are actually worth six hundred francs.

It's not about the six hundred francs. Monge said, it's about him having such a strange claim—light is actually a wave, and the ether that transmits it should have smashed us to pieces long ago! Such absurdity We will be a laughingstock if something won an award! Unless he revises this paper and removes unnecessary things, otherwise, I object to awarding the prize to him.

I don't think it is rigorous to send out the bonus now. After all, this is not really conclusive evidence. I mean, there should be other, better explanations for those two experiments. I think on this issue, We should be more cautious... Ku Lun said.

Come on, Cullen! Do you have a better explanation? Or, have you found any loopholes in his argument? Condorcet stared, There are indeed many problems that cannot be solved in the wave theory, such as Talk about the problem of the ether you mentioned. But is it okay to talk about particles? Apart from other things, how does particle theory explain double-slit interference and Bonaparte facula? One of the significance of science lies in discovering the unknown, proposing Questions. Asking questions, especially valuable questions, is sometimes even more important than drawing conclusions! Since the birth of science, we have seen how many times old ideas and opinions have been overthrown, but can we say that those who are now Are overturned concepts worthless? Even if the views in this paper are ultimately proven to be completely false, even if tomorrow morning, Cullen, you come up with a new explanation that completely overturns his views, but Can't this fallacy itself inspire thinking and reveal the truth? Therefore, even if it is a fallacy, it is also valuable. What's more, it is not necessarily a fallacy! - Is Sir Newton undoubted? This is still science The spirit! If such a thesis fails to win the prize, it will be a shame to the Academy of Sciences!

In terms of eloquence, few people in the Academy of Sciences could match Condorcet, and Cullen was no exception. Knowing that he could not argue with Condorcet, Cullen simply shut up and said nothing.

Seeing that Cullen was silent, Condorcet turned to Monge again: Monge, what do you think?

Monge's status in the Academy of Sciences was not as influential as that of Condorcet, and his language skills were far inferior. But Monge was a very stubborn person. Hearing Condorcet's question, he replied: Before I have a face-to-face meeting with him, I cannot agree to give him the prize.

Then he shut up and said nothing. Condorcet also knew Monge's character, and knew that this was the biggest concession he could make, so he didn't say anything, but turned around and said to Laplace: Laplace, What about you? What do you think?

Laplace looked at Condorcet, then at Monge and Cullen, and said, I think...with just those few mathematical tools, this paper can win the prize...but I also think that he There are still places that are not rigorous enough, and I also think we should invite him to talk about it.

Condorcet looked at Laplace and couldn't help shaking his head. Laplace's talent is beyond doubt, but his character is really weak and fickle.

Well then, let's invite this Monsieur Bonaparte here. We'll talk to him, and then we'll send him the prize, said Condorcet, who paused for a moment before adding , Does anyone else think that someone who can write such a paper is not qualified for such an award?

Everyone fell silent. Condorcet looked around, and said: Very well, so be it.

...

Although the Academy of Sciences is in Paris, the efficiency of the post office in this era is quite low. Joseph did not receive the invitation until three days later. But in fact, he got the news from Amon two days ago.

Now that he got the invitation letter, Joseph made some preparations, took the invitation letter, changed into a formal suit that he might not wear once a year, and took a public carriage, (this was mainly to avoid too much dust on the leather shoes. Dusty) went in the direction of the Louvre.

Located on the north bank of the Seine, the Louvre was built in the twelfth century and is one of the oldest royal palaces in France. By the time of Louis XIII, Richelieu founded the Royal Academy of Sciences and placed this institution in the Louvre. In the later period of Louis XIV's reign, riots often occurred in Paris. Louis XIV expanded the Palace of Versailles outside the city and moved there. Since then, the King of France has stopped living in the Louvre, but the Academy of Sciences has remained here.

At the gate of the Louvre, Joseph got out of the car, sorted some of his clothes, and walked towards the gate of the Louvre. This is not the first time Joseph has visited the Louvre. In his previous life, Joseph also visited here as a tourist. At that time, the Louvre was one of the four major museums in the world, housing various precious cultural relics. But the Louvre at this time was just a palace, and among the three treasures of the famous Louvre in later generations, only the Mona Lisa is now in it.

Joseph walked to the gate of the palace-in later generations, the gate of the Louvre is the post-modern style glass pyramid. But at this time, such a thing still does not exist. The gate of the Louvre is still a well-behaved ordinary gate.

Joseph walked to the door and showed the invitation letter to the gatekeeper. The janitor put on his reading glasses, looked down at the invitation letter without looking up, just looked at Joseph through the gap above the glasses frame, and said: Mr. Bonaparte, please wait here for a while .I need to check the situation.

Joseph nodded. After waiting outside the door for a while, he saw a waiter in a red coat and wig coming over, opened the door and said to Joseph, Is that Mr. Bonaparte? Please follow me.

Joseph followed the waiter into the Louvre. The waiter led Joseph through one hall after another, and finally he stopped in front of a small living room.

Monsieur Bonaparte, said the waiter, turning around and bowing to Joseph, Monsieur Condorcet, Monsieur Lavoisier are waiting for you inside.

After saying this, he opened the door wrapped in calfskin, indicating that Joseph could walk in by himself.

Joseph walked in, and as soon as he entered, he saw three people already sitting in the room. When the three people saw Joseph coming in, they also stood up, and one of them was a thin middle-aged man with a high forehead and said: Mr. Joseph Bonaparte, right? I am Lavoisier. This is an academician of the Academy of Sciences. , my friend Monsieur Condorcet, this is my friend Laplace.

Joseph greeted these people one by one. Condorcet was a little more stocky than Lavoisier, and had a wider face. He smiled gently at Joseph, and he seemed to have a milder personality. Another younger man with a slightly hooked nose was the mathematician Laplace who had terrified Joseph in his previous life.

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