1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 638 Breakthrough in Nuclear Physics! Artificial Nuclear Fission! Shocking the Academic World! Professor Bruce, please come back soon!

Cavendish Laboratory, UK.

The atmosphere in the lab has been a bit strange lately.

Everyone's face was filled with curiosity, and a hint of worry.

"My God!"

"Dr. Cockraf hasn't left the lab for almost a month now."

"If this continues, won't he run into trouble?"

Chadwick, as the lab's head butler, inquired:
“Blackett, you and Cockraf joined the lab at the same time and you got along very well.”

Do you know what's been going on with him lately?

Blackett gave a wry smile and said:

"It's all because of Professor Bruce's nuclear physics report six months ago."

"From then on, Cokrav was like a man possessed, conducting experiments frantically every day."

"His first round of bombardment experiments yielded no results, and now he is adjusting the parameters for the second round."

hiss!
Chadwick gasped upon hearing this.

That kid Cockraf is absolutely insane.

Young people are indeed full of energy.

Blackett's "first round" refers to bombarding the elements on the periodic table one by one with protons according to their atomic numbers, and seeing the results.

If nuclear fission truly exists, then protons, with their energy amplified by an accelerator, could potentially break apart the nucleus of an atom, thus achieving fission.

The choice of protons as the bombardment source was also carefully considered.

Currently, the main bombardment sources used in the field of atomic research are: alpha rays, electrons, protons, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Because electrons have such small mass, even when accelerated to very high speeds, their energy remains relatively low.

Alpha rays have too large a mass, making them difficult to accelerate to a high-energy state.

X-rays and gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic waves and cannot bombard atomic nuclei.

Only when protons are neither too heavy nor too light, and carry a positive charge, are they just right and can be accelerated by an electromagnetic field.

Therefore, when Cokronov built the proton linear accelerator, everyone was full of praise.

Rutherford went even further, saying:

"This is yet another powerful weapon for Cavendish!"

However, the road to success is often fraught with difficulties.

Despite having all the right timing, location, and support, Cockraf has yet to succeed.

Chadwick remarked:
"Yes!"

"With Professor Bruce's prediction, Cockraf is only a hair's breadth away from success."

"Artificial nuclear fission is theoretically fully mature; only experiments are needed."

Chadwick also greatly admired this guy.

If an average person failed this many times, they would probably be on the verge of depression.

But Cockraf persisted.

Then he added:
“I heard that Walton has been helping Cockraf, hoping to relieve some of the pressure on him.”

Walton, a young man who had recently arrived in Cavendish, was more active.

Upon hearing this, Blackett smiled and said:

"I've run into Walton a few times, and he always looks to be in good spirits."

"It should be fine."

Chadwick murmured:
"I hope they succeed."

Meanwhile, in Cockraf's small laboratory.

Today, the Cavendish Laboratory has expanded considerably thanks to Rutherford's efforts.

This is also to meet the growing research needs.

For example, a linear accelerator is a very precise instrument that needs to be placed in a separate room.

Therefore, Kokrauf had his own small laboratory.

At this moment, he is engrossed in calculations, trying to analyze the reasons for the failure.

Beside him, Walton, while tidying up the equipment, looked at the other person with admiration in his heart.

The two of them had failed countless times.

But Cockraf showed no sign of disappointment.

They continued the experiment calmly, rigorously, and meticulously.

Walton sighed inwardly:

Is this the price of success for ordinary people?

During his undergraduate years, he was seen as a genius by others.

But after arriving in Cavendish, he discovered that there are always people more capable than him, and there is always something beyond his reach.

Cockraf, who invented the linear accelerator, was clearly much smarter and more capable than him.

He put aside his pride and worked diligently to learn from his seniors' experience and skills.

During this process, Walton felt that he had undergone a complete transformation.

At this moment, he looked at the densely packed data, lost in thought.

He didn't consider the possibility that the experiment itself might go wrong.

Because this direction was predicted by Professor Bruce himself.

Just kidding, when has he ever disappointed anyone?

Walton even suspects that the reason Cockraf has been able to hold on until today is because of Professor Bruce.

Otherwise, the other party's willpower is simply terrifying.

At this point, any words of comfort are futile; the only solution is to resolve the issue.

Suddenly, as Walton re-examined the experimental diagram, he discovered a simple problem that they had overlooked.

In just a few seconds, he roared:
"My God!"

"I think I understand why I failed!"

Upon hearing this, Coke Rauf quickly snapped out of his calculations.

He asked in surprise:

"Walton, what did you find?"

Walton's eyes grew brighter as he looked at the image of protons colliding with atomic nuclei.

He said excitedly:

"Brother Kao, let me ask you, what did you use to calculate the required proton energy?"

Cockraf blurted out:

"It follows the classic mechanical collision model."

"Based on the momentum of the proton and the mass of the atomic nucleus, we can calculate the various parameters."

Walton wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

"So, you've overlooked one problem!"

"Protons carry a positive charge, and atomic nuclei also carry a positive charge."

"When they meet but before they collide, they produce Coulomb repulsion."

"You haven't taken into account the energy required to overcome the repulsive force!"

boom!
When Coke Rauf heard this, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
All the problems vanished instantly!

He had completely overlooked this simplest factor all along.

He grabbed Walton's hand excitedly, his voice trembling:
"Walton, you are my lucky star!"

After saying that, he hugged the other person and showered them with kisses.

Walton felt a sweet warmth in his heart as he felt his older brother's warmth.

Kokrauf then immediately threw himself into his work.

Next, all we need to do is increase the collision energy of the protons.

The method is simple: lengthen the linear accelerator!

At that moment, the two suddenly realized the benefits of the cyclotron.

In this situation, there's no need to adjust the instruments; just accelerate a few more times.

Three days later, when Cockraf bombarded the nucleus of lithium, the third element, with protons, luck struck!

He finally found the helium nucleus in the reaction products!

This indicates that the lithium nucleus underwent nuclear fission, losing a proton and transforming into a helium nucleus.

Artificial nuclear fission has been born!

Cockraf and Walton wept with joy and embraced each other tightly.

After countless days and nights, and countless failures, they finally succeeded!
Walton said happily:

"Brother Kao, you're about to become a household name in the physics world!"

Cockraf said with deep emotion:
"No!"

"We are about to become famous in the physics community."

"Without your help and reminders, I might never have succeeded."

"Thank you, Dun!"

The two looked at each other and smiled.

When Kokroev emerged from his small experiment, the laboratory erupted in excitement!
"My God! A lab maniac has appeared!"

Without having time to explain to everyone, Cockraft and Walton headed straight for the director's office.

When Rutherford learned of this, his laughter shook the roof of the Cavendish Laboratory.

"Great!"

"Cokrowf, your efforts have finally paid off."

"Walton, you're amazing too! As a newcomer, you've given such crucial advice!"

"Hurry up and organize the data, then publish the paper."

"Let the physics community witness the power of Cavendish once again!"

Wow!
The two men were excited and their blood was boiling.

Rutherford looked out the window, a smile on his face, and murmured:
"Bruce, how are you doing in Borneo?"

"This time, let's see how you surpass me!"

"Hey hey hey."
-
1925 9 Month 15 Day.

The journal Nature published a paper co-authored by Cockraf and Walton.

In the article, Kokroev described in detail how he used a linear accelerator to accelerate protons and cause nuclear fission by bombarding atomic nuclei.

The paper caused a sensation in the academic community upon its publication!

Everyone was awestruck by the achievement of artificial nuclear fission!
"My God!"

"They actually achieved an artificial nuclear reaction!"

"This is absolutely incredible!"

"It has only been a few years since Professor Bruce first proposed nuclear fusion."

Has nuclear physics developed this rapidly?

"Looks like I need to switch to nuclear physics."

Once again, everyone was awestruck by the power of the Cavendish Laboratory.

Its status in the contemporary physics community is that of the highest hall of knowledge in the field of atomic structure!
Even the atomic research institute that Professor Bruce built in Borneo cannot compare.

In a short time, many young people aspiring to experimental physics began to flock to this sacred laboratory.

Perhaps it can even retain a trace of Professor Bruce's lingering aura.

For those leading figures in nuclear physics, Cockraf's achievement was extremely important.

It not only verified Professor Bruce's series of conjectures about nuclear reactions, but also meant that physicists could finally extend their research reach to the atomic nucleus.

Some bigwigs even boldly declared:

"Artificial nuclear fission has been achieved; the next goal is artificial nuclear fusion!"

The conditions for artificial nuclear fusion are more demanding than those for artificial nuclear fission.

But at least now we can see a glimmer of hope.

In addition, in the discussion section of the paper, Kokrouf attempted to explain some of the mechanisms of nuclear fission from a theoretical perspective.

He wrote in his paper:
"Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are like reversible processes."

"Nuclear fusion is the process of protons being added and stacked one by one, while nuclear fission should also be the process of protons being peeled off one by one."

"Combining all previous experiments in the field of nuclear physics, we can discover a phenomenon."

"The changes in the atomic nucleus are not significant before and after a nuclear reaction."

That is, the newly generated atomic nuclei in a nuclear reaction should be located near the original atomic nuclei.

"For example, if element number 15 [phosphorus] undergoes nuclear fission, it will most likely produce element number 14 [silicon] or element number 13 [aluminum], etc."

"It will not split into elements with significantly different atomic numbers, such as element number 7 [nitrogen], etc."

"Similarly, if phosphorus undergoes nuclear fusion, it will most likely produce element 16 [sulfur] or element 17 [chlorine], etc."

"It is impossible for them to directly aggregate into element 33 [arsenic], etc."

Many experts agreed with this analysis after reading it.

This is consistent with the compositional and structural characteristics of the atomic nucleus.

The atomic nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, which are tightly bound together, making it difficult for large-scale fission or fusion to occur.

Although the neutron has not yet been discovered and the nature of the connecting force is not yet understood, this does not prevent physicists from making reasonable assumptions and inferences.

Therefore, many people have publicly stated that Cockraf's theory makes a lot of sense.

However, to everyone's surprise, this theory will soon be overturned.

What will overturn it are new theories and discoveries that will change the world!

At this moment, Cockraf and Walton, two previously unknown young men, became overnight sensations, achieving instant fame.

Some researchers, after studying Cockraf's experiences, discovered that his success was actually related to Professor Bruce!
Thus, countless people lamented:
"Professor Bruce, when are you finally coming back?!"

Europe cannot do without you!

Just three days later, Ridgeway published a public statement.

He praised Kokrauf's achievement as "a huge breakthrough in the field of nuclear physics!"

The crowd erupted in cheers once again!

Although Professor Bruce was far away in Asia, his eyes were always on Europe.

France, Radium Institute.

Irene, now 28, has begun to gradually take over the responsibilities from her mother, Marie Curie, and is in charge of the operation of the research institute.

She and Joliot will soon be getting married.

However, the upcoming wedding did not make her feel nervous; instead, it was Cockraf's thesis that kept her tossing and turning at night.

Jolio naturally knew the reason for Elena's depression.

He smiled and comforted her:
"There's no need to envy others; we just need to do our own experiments well."

"Kokrov also succeeded after countless failures."

"Perhaps it won't be long before we reap the rewards."

Elena sighed.

She was once seen as a "golden girl" by everyone!
Born into a family of scientists, his mother was Marie Curie, who won the Nobel Prize twice.

His doctoral advisor was Professor Bruce, a leading figure in contemporary science.

She also lived up to expectations, representing France in the first Physics Olympiad and achieving excellent results.

It can be said that her starting point is the end point that many people can never reach in their entire lives.

However, Elena is now likely to be forgotten.

She only realized after she began conducting independent research that scientific research is by no means something that can be accomplished overnight.

Any external factors are merely supplementary; only oneself is the core of success.

Neither Marie Curie nor Professor Bruce could have done the experiments in her place.

Elena smiled bravely and said:

"Hehe, I'm fine."

"Kokrauf achieved artificial nuclear fission because he firmly believed in Professor Bruce's prediction."

"Then what reason do I have not to believe in the existence of artificial radioactivity?"

"Continue the experiment!"

Irena's hearty laughter echoed in Jolio's heart like heavenly music.

(End of this chapter)