"Are you saying that you saw the stars move? How is that possible? "
Cloud Mountain Villa.
Li Zexuan frowned when he heard Li Chunfeng say that he saw the stars move.
The stars that Li Chunfeng saw should be the stars outside of the solar system. The reason why stars were called stars was not because they did not move. However, the movement of stars could not be seen with the naked eye for a short period of time.
There was no celestial body in the universe that was immobile. All celestial bodies were moving at different speeds. Not only did stars move, but they also moved at the speed of the universe. Take the sun for example. It was spinning around the center of the Milky Way at a speed of 250 kilometers per second.
The other stars moved at the same speed as well. The reason why stars did not move was because they were too far away from us. We could not see their movement in a short period of time. Therefore, they were called stars. Only after tens of thousands of years or even hundreds of thousands of years would the position of stars change.
That was why Li Zexuan did not believe Li Chunfeng when he said that he saw the stars move.
"It's true! It's true! "
Seeing Li Zexuan's disbelief, Li Chunfeng hurriedly explained, "When the sky was completely dark, I saw a cluster of galaxies around the sun's silhouette with my telescope. I observed this cluster of galaxies last year and even drew a star map. However, during the total solar eclipse today, the positions of some of the stars in the cluster of galaxies seemed to have changed. Isn't this the movement of the stars?"
"… It's not that the stars are moving. It's that the direction of light has changed!"
When Li Zexuan heard this, he quickly recalled some things from his previous life. He couldn't help but be shocked. Good heavens, this Li Chunfeng inadvertently discovered something incredible!
In his previous world, Newton stood on the shoulders of giants and saw a falling apple. That was when he realized the gravitational force between all things. Einstein stood on the shoulders of his predecessors and proposed the general theory of relativity in 1915. He believed that gravitational force was the representation of the curvature of spacetime.
One of the major differences between Newton and Einstein's views on time and space was the influence of gravity on light.
Although classical dynamics predicted that the gravitational force of a star could deflect the path of a photon, Einstein believed that this prediction was only a rough approximation of the actual situation. It was not the gravitational force of a star that pulled the photon, but the star curved the structure of space. This was like a person standing on a trampoline bending the surface. The photon was like a small ball rolling across the trampoline, moving along the curved structure.
From the perspective of a photon, it always travels in a straight line, and the distortion of space-time causes the photon to be deflected. Therefore, gravity was a manifestation of the curvature of space.
Since the sun is the most massive object in our solar system, the resulting space-time curvature will be the most obvious. But to test general relativity, astronomers must study the positions of background stars near the edge of the Sun to determine the angle at which light is deflected as it passes near the Sun — the deflection predicted by general relativity is twice as large as Newtonian mechanics.
However, the sun was very bright, and it was impossible to see the background stars at the edge of the sun unless the sunlight was blocked — a total solar eclipse. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon moved between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the Sun's disk.
In 1917, Einstein's "little fan" Dyson conceived an experiment. During a total solar eclipse, the positions of the background stars near the edge of the Sun were plotted, and then compared with the normal positions of these stars in the night sky, the space-time distortion effect could be observed. This experiment was verified in 1919, proving the validity of Einstein's general theory of relativity!
Now, Li Chunfeng saw the shift of the stars during a total solar eclipse. Didn't this prove Einstein's general theory of relativity? Massive stars would cause space-time to be bent, and light would be deflected as it traveled through it. It was equivalent to passing through a "gravitational lens", so people would mistakenly think that the positions of the stars had changed, but in fact, the positions of the stars had not changed.
This Li Chunfeng was a physicist who had been delayed by metaphysics!
"The direction of light transmission has changed? Marquis, I don't understand. Doesn't light travel in a straight line? Is it possible that it will be bent? "
Li Chunfeng heard Li Zexuan's mumbling and could not help but be puzzled.
He had "stayed" in Yanhuang College for more than half a year, and he often communicated with Mo Huai, Mo Chui, and other professors in the physics department. He knew some basic physics knowledge.
Li Zexuan pondered for a moment, then slowly said,
"Daoist Li, under normal circumstances, light does travel in a straight line. However, there are some special cases where light doesn't travel in a straight line. For example, when light passes through ice or water, it will be deflected. That's why when we use a harpoon to spear fish, we have to stab the fish a few inches deeper into the fish's body. Because the fish we see at that time are not real fish, it's just an illusion! "
Li Chunfeng heard this and nodded slightly. He had heard these theories from Mo Huai and Mo Chui, so it was not difficult to understand. However …
"Marquis, I understand what you said. But the light emitted by the stars in the sky only passes through the vast space in the process of transmission. It doesn't pass through ice or water. According to what you said in the textbook of Physics, if the refractive index of the transmission medium doesn't change, then the transmission direction of the light won't change. Why do you say that the transmission direction of the light has changed?"
Li Chunfeng was puzzled.
Li Zexuan heard this and could not help but think that Li Chunfeng was quite knowledgeable about the physics of Yanhuang College. He smiled and said,
"Master Li, there is one thing that I can tell you clearly. The stars in the sky do not move in a short period of time. Only after tens of thousands of years or even hundreds of thousands of years will you be able to see the changes in their positions. Therefore, the only explanation for the movement of the stars you saw just now is that the light emitted by the stars was deflected when it passed near the sun. It was as if the light passed through a lens!
As for why this strange phenomenon occurred, you will have to figure it out yourself! However, I can provide you with a hypothesis. The sun is a star, and its weight is much heavier than the earth. The space near the sun is different from the space in other places. When the light passes by, it may be deflected or absorbed by the sun! As for the specific reason, you will have to figure it out yourself! "
As the most famous quack in the Tang Dynasty, Li Chunfeng's life was undoubtedly very glorious. He even left a deep mark in the history of Chinese civilization. Li Zexuan wanted to drag Li Chunfeng into the pit of physics. He wanted to see what kind of sparks would be created when a metaphysician collided with physics!
In the twenty-first century, there was a popular saying that the end of science was metaphysics. When a scientist climbed to the top of the mountain, a metaphysical (or Buddhist) master would have been waiting for him for a long time! Einstein once said, "Religion without science is lame, and science without religion is blind." "Space, time, and matter are all illusions of human cognition."
Metaphysics was the study of the universe itself. It mainly studied the origin of Dao which was opened, passed down, and developed by the ancestor of humanity, Fu Xi, the Yellow Emperor, King Wen, Laozi, and Zhuangzi. The origin of Qi was a concept of the universe with a strict logic system. It was the core value of Chinese civilization. If one looked at it carefully, some parts of metaphysics actually had the shadow of science.
It was very interesting to let a senior metaphysician study science. Perhaps, Li Chunfeng could become a big name in science in the future, even more awesome than Newton and Einstein! This was definitely not impossible!
After listening to Li Zexuan's words, Li Chunfeng's face gradually became serious. After a moment of silence, he muttered to himself, "This star can change the direction of light transmission. This is unbelievable!"
In the past, he boasted that he was proficient in metaphysics and could see through everything in the world. However, after talking to Li Zexuan, he suddenly felt small and insignificant. He felt that the knowledge in his mind compared to Li Zexuan was like a firefly competing with the bright moon. For the first time, he felt that Li Zexuan was unfathomable and unfathomable.
Li Zexuan smiled. "This is not unbelievable. The physics taught in Yanhuang College is still relatively basic. It does not involve the movement of celestial bodies. In the later advanced physics classes, students will be introduced to a force called gravity.
The heavier an object was, the stronger the gravitational force it produced. The heavier a star was, the stronger the gravitational force it produced. It was difficult for mortals to estimate its weight, and the stronger the gravitational force it produced! Perhaps there is a type of star that is infinitely heavy and has an infinitely strong gravitational force. It can swallow everything, even the light around it. Who knows? "
The thing that he mentioned that could swallow everything was a black hole!
Li Chunfeng's expression changed when he heard that. "If there really is such a celestial body, won't all living beings in this world experience a world-ending catastrophe?" he asked in horror.
Li Zexuan shook his head and said, "All living things have their own destiny. As a Taoist, how can you not see this point clearly? How vast is the universe? How vast are the stars in the sky? Who can be sure that there is such a star that can swallow everything that I mentioned? Even if there is, it might not be near Earth because the universe is so vast that Earth is equivalent to a speck of dust! In terms of pure probability, the probability of us being swallowed is very small! "
"I've lost my composure! The Marquis's words are reasonable! "
Li Chunfeng looked ashamed. He put his hands together and bowed to Li Zexuan. After pondering for a while, he said seriously, "Marquis, I have a presumptuous request. I hope that Marquis will allow it!"
Li Zexuan's heart skipped a beat. He quickly said politely, "Taoist Master Li, feel free to speak your mind. I will do my best to help!"
"Thank you, Marquis!"
Li Chunfeng thanked him first and then said, "Marquis, please forgive me. I want to stay in the Yanhuang Academy. I have always felt that Lord Marquis's work seems to contain the supreme mystery of Taoist metaphysics. If I can understand it, I may be able to successfully deduce the fate of the Tang Empire for the next hundreds or even thousands of years! This is my life's wish! "
The Push Back Diagram!
After listening to Li Chunfeng, Li Zexuan subconsciously thought of the number one book of Chinese Taoist prophecy, the Push Back Diagram! Legend has it that Li Shimin ordered two famous Taoist Masters, Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, to write it in order to predict the future of Tang. It combined the study of Yi, astronomy, poetry, riddles, and pictures into one.
Now, Yuan Tiangang had not yet entered the imperial court, and Li Chunfeng was only in his twenties. Naturally, no one could write the Push Back Diagram. When Li Chunfeng was proficient in physics and truly recognized the universe, what would the Push Back Diagram be like? Li Zexuan was looking forward to it!
"Although you and I don't study under the same teacher, we are both from the same school of Taoism. I have no reason to reject your request. However, the knowledge of Yanhuang College can only be known by the students and teachers of Yanhuang College. Taoist Master Li, you were able to learn some knowledge about physics from Mr. Mo, which is considered a violation of the rules of the college.
Yanhuang College has been implementing a comprehensive confidentiality policy since a while ago. From now on, no one from Yanhuang College will be able to learn the knowledge of Yanhuang College! This is my decision, and it is also His Majesty's decision! Taoist Master Li, you are now working in the Bureau of History. You are not part of Yanhuang College. According to the confidentiality policy, you cannot stay in Yanhuang College to study engineering! "
Li Zexuan thought for a moment and shook his head.
It was true that he wanted to pull Li Chunfeng into the "big pit" of physics, but the confidentiality rules of the Yanhuang Academy could not be violated by anyone. In the past, Li Chunfeng was able to learn some physics knowledge from Mo Huai and Mo Chui because the academy had not fully implemented the confidentiality rules. Now that they had started to implement confidentiality management, he had to abide by the rules. If Li Chunfeng wanted to stay in the academy, he had to solve the problem of his identity first!
Li Chunfeng was silent for a while. Then, he cupped his hands and said, "I see. I was too impulsive when I tried to learn engineering from the college. I apologize to Marquis!"
Li Zexuan smiled and said, "Taoist Master Li, you don't have to apologize. It was the college's fault for not having a complete system!"
Li Chunfeng's eyes suddenly lit up and said, "Since only people from Yanhuang College can learn engineering, I wonder if Marquis is willing to accept me as his student? I am willing to resign from my position in the Bureau of History on behalf of His Majesty! "
Li Chunfeng wanted to be a student in Yanhuang College?
Li Zexuan almost laughed when he heard that! Li Chunfeng's son, Li Yan, was studying in Yanhuang College! Wouldn't that mean that father and son would be in the same college?
"No! No! "
Li Zexuan paused for a moment and quickly said, "Taoist Master Li's knowledge is more than enough to be a teacher in the college. How can you be a student? Also, Taoist Master Li is very talented and is highly valued by the Emperor. How about this, Taoist Master Li can ask the Emperor if you can be a teacher in Yanhuang College while being a teacher in the Bureau of History! "
Li Chunfeng was very tempted. He cupped his hands and said, "If that's the case, thank you very much, Marquis! I will return to Chang 'an now and report to the Emperor! "
"Go!"
Li Zexuan did not show it on his face, but on the inside, he was overjoyed. He had accidentally 'tricked' the most famous conman of Tang Dynasty into becoming a teacher in the college. This was a great deal!
As for what kind of 'chemical reaction' Li Chunfeng would have with engineering, only God knew. However, Li Zexuan was looking forward to it!
…
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