Chapter 435 I Am Ashamed to Have Made a Small Contribution to Fluid Mechanics

Arthur, led by the gentleman who traveled with him, walked into the gate of the French Academy of Sciences and strolled along the avenue.

Through the windows of the ancient building of the Academy of Sciences, you can see the sunlight shining on the smooth marble floor, forming mottled light and shadow.

The desk in almost every office is filled with various academic reports and research papers, but depending on the personality of the laboratory owner, some of them are neatly stacked, while others are thrown away in a messy manner.

In the lecture hall and conference room, Arthur also saw a young physicist standing in front of a blackboard, writing formulas quickly with chalk, explaining his latest theory to other scholars. His words were loud and accompanied by various passionate gestures.

This made Arthur have to wonder if the young man would suddenly pull out his pistol and send them to heaven if the group of old men sitting in the audience did not recognize him.

As for the chemistry laboratory, it is obviously more lively, and chemists are busy conducting various experiments. There were color changes in the test tubes, the ticking of the instruments, and a slight explosion from time to time. Who knows if these French guys are developing another new type of explosive.

All in all, the French Academy of Sciences does not seem to be any different from the Royal Society. The only difference between the two may be that the French are naturally much more enthusiastic than the British, so even scientists who are famous for their calmness are more enthusiastic than their British counterparts. Be much more lively.

However, Arthur doesn't dislike this kind of liveliness. Guys who live in sunny places are supposed to be outgoing and happier than guys who live in rainy places.

Suddenly, Arthur stopped and his eyes fell on a bulletin board placed next to the corridor. On the small blackboard, a line of French was written in chalk - "On Integral Curves on Double Surfaces".

Arthur couldn't help but ask: "What is this? A paper? If it is a paper, why does it only have a title?"

The young gentleman who was leading the way for Arthur heard this and said with a smile: "Ah! Are you interested in this year's annual essay competition of the French Academy of Sciences? Although I heard that you specialize in the field of electromagnetism, you should also have good mathematical skills. . Why don’t you try to submit an article? If you win, there will be a huge bonus.”

When Agares, who was squatting on the bulletin board, heard this, he covered his mouth and said sarcastically: "Oh! Submit a paper to the French Academy of Sciences? Arthur, do you, a history major, understand what a double surface is? "

Arthur glanced at the Red Devil and cleverly avoided the topic of submission: "You just said that this is the annual essay solicitation of the French Academy of Sciences? So, it must have a long history, right?"

The young gentleman nodded with a smile and said: "Yes, this annual essay competition has been held since 1720. It was held once a year at first, and later it was changed to once every two years. Many famous French scholars you know have participated in the competition. He has won awards in the annual essay competition. Euler once submitted 15 entries for the annual essay competition and won several awards.

In addition, Bernoulli, Lagrange, d'Alembert, and Coulomb also won prizes in the annual essay competition. Later, due to the Great Revolution, the Academy of Sciences was banned by the National Assembly. After its reappearance, it encountered successive wars, so it was not until 1812 that the essay collection activity was resumed.

I still remember that the topic of the 1812 essay call was ‘Determining the distribution of charge on the surface of an object through calculation and experiment’, which happened to be the area of ​​electricity that you were good at. I think if you had been born twenty years earlier, you might have had a chance to challenge for the winning prize in that essay competition. "

As soon as Arthur heard this, he started to sweat from behind, but he still calmly lit the fire, lit the pipe, took a puff of it easily and casually, and asked seemingly casually.

"You are really over-praising me. Can I take the liberty to ask, which talented person from the Academy of Sciences won the essay competition that time?"

The young man blurted out: "It's Mr. Poisson. He is simply a monster. He doesn't understand mathematics, mechanics, electricity, astronomy, etc., there is no aspect of natural philosophy that he doesn't understand."

When Arthur heard the name Poisson, he immediately remembered what Faraday had told him: "Speaking of which, I have a letter that Mr. Faraday asked me to bring to Mr. Poisson. He wanted to ask Mr. Poisson something about Poisson." The problem."

Arthur took out the letter from his coat pocket, but when he saw the name on the envelope, he was stunned because it was Kexi's name written on the envelope.

He realized something was wrong, and quickly took out the small box containing the Copley Medal that he carried with him. Then he slapped his head and laughed and said, "Sorry, I seem to have confused the task of delivering the letter and the medal. This letter is to Mr. Cauchy, and the Copley Medal to Mr. Poisson.”

Hearing this, the young man also smiled and replied: "No wonder... I was surprised just now when I heard that Mr. Faraday wanted to ask Mr. Poisson about waves, because Mr. Cauchy is obviously more authoritative in this regard."

Arthur asked: "Really? Isn't Mr. Poisson good at wave problems?"

"Well... I can't say that, but he is obviously not as good at it as Mr. Cosey."

"Why?"

The young man smiled and said: "Because the annual essay topic of the Academy of Sciences in 1816 was 'Wave', and that time, it was Mr. Cauchy who won the essay."

When Arthur heard this, he felt as uncomfortable as eating a fly. He finally changed the subject, but he didn't expect that it would circle back to the essay collection.

In this regard, Arthur had no choice but to divert the other party's attention again, and he asked: "By the way, we have been chatting for so long, but we haven't asked for your surname yet?"

The other party extended his hand in a friendly manner: "Joseph Liouville, nice to meet you, Sir."

Arthur held the other person's hand and asked: "You look very young. It is really a miracle that you can establish yourself in a place like the French Academy of Sciences, where geniuses gather, at such a young age."

Liouville heard Arthur's praise and sneered with some embarrassment: "You are joking. There are only 60 academicians of the French Academy of Sciences in mathematical sciences and physical sciences. I am just lucky enough to apply for one of them." Just starting."

"So you are a teaching assistant?"

"Well, I served as a teaching assistant to Professor Mathieu at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, and occasionally Mr. Ampere would call me to help. When I was studying at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, Mr. Ampere was my analytical mechanics tutor, and I He is also very interested in his electrodynamics, so we have a close relationship to this day.”

Speaking of this, Liouville suddenly stopped and asked: "By the way, do you want to meet Mr. Ampere? It's hard for you to come all the way from London. It would be a pity not to communicate with him."

When Arthur heard this, he felt as if he was being forced into danger.

That was the reason why he didn't want to come to the French Academy, and he had guessed early on that this might happen. Of course there is no problem in going to see Abe, but what should he talk to Abe about? This is a big problem.

Facing the enthusiastic Liu Weier, Arthur had to find another way: "Well... don't worry about this, I suddenly became interested in your annual essay competition. Joseph, although it is presumptuous to say this, but can you find a quiet place for me?" Where, let me think about how to solve this problem?”

"Ah! Of course you can!"

When Liouville heard that Arthur planned to write an essay, he suddenly became interested: "I know you must have some experience in mathematics. There happens to be a quiet room in the Academy of Sciences. There is also blackboard chalk and calculation paper. You can Slowly review your essay there, and I will inform you when the academic committee members arrive."

When it comes to mathematics, Liouville is like opening up a chatterbox. He talks endlessly about his recent scientific research results: "In fact, I have been studying the works of Leibniz, Euler and Bernoulli in the past two years. , trying to classify algebraic functions and transcendental functions. I just submitted the first classification paper to the Academy of Sciences last year. The second one has already been written. If you are interested, you might as well help me. , see what else can be modified..."

When Agares saw Arthur's face with no trace of emotion, the red devil couldn't help but mock: "Oh! My dear Arthur, look at your stinky face! You were in the Tower of London that day. When I was being beaten to death, my face was not as ugly as it is today."

The Red Devil had just finished taunting Arthur, and in an instant he acted like a good guy again. He put his arm around Arthur's shoulders and said like a brother, "Let's do this, twenty souls, I'll help you finish the paper. If you don't win the prize, I'll give it to you." I’ll compensate you twice as much.”

Arthur glanced at the red devil and whispered: "I said..."

Agares put a hand to his ear and pretended not to hear with a playful smile: "Louder! Beg me, yes, beg me quickly!"

"Agares."

"What happened?"

Arthur took a puff of his cigarette and said, "You are really applying for Barr's job as a manure digger."

"Huh?" The red devil asked in confusion: "What do you mean?"

Arthur blew out a smoke ring and said calmly: "It's like the devil has opened his mouth!"

"Huh? Damn you!"

Hearing this, the Red Devil couldn't help but get furious: "Arthur, you little bastard, how dare you use Baal to humiliate me! Originally, we still had a talk, but if you talk like this, when you ask me for help later, it will be terrible It’s not about twenty souls!”

Arthur shrugged and said: "My face is not worth enough to be exchanged for twenty souls. I won't buy it anyway. You can just add it up as you like."

One person and one ghost were still arguing, but Liu Weier had already taken the lead to the quiet library he mentioned.

He skillfully took out the key and opened the door. When he turned around, he realized that Arthur had fallen behind, so he quickly raised his hand and signaled: "Sir, over here."

Arthur and Agares glanced at each other, and then headed towards the library without saying a word.

This quiet little library looks like it must be quite old. Its appearance is simple, made of red bricks, covered with traces of time and green ivy. For an academic, this room, nestled on a secluded trail, away from the hustle and bustle, with small bookshelves filled with materials to consult, would be a perfect research location.

Liu Weier skillfully took out a thick stack of calculation paper from the desk drawer and placed it on the table for Arthur. Then he generously took out the fashionable pen he bought for this friend who came from afar. use.

At the end, he did not forget to point to the blackboard in front of the table and reminded: "If you are not used to using pens, you can just use chalk to write and draw on the blackboard. I will go get the paper right now, and I will bother you more later. ”

Seeing this, Arthur could only blink twice, smile and nod: "Joseph, thank you very much for your help today."

Liu Weier waved his hand indifferently: "It's just a little effort. I don't have any hobbies at ordinary times. What I like to do most is to communicate with young scholars like you. I hope you don't dislike me."

After saying this, Liu Wei gently closed the door and ran towards the office where he kept his papers.

In Arthur's opinion, with this speed, even if Mr. Liouville cannot be a mathematician in the future, he can still become a French athlete.

Just as Liu Weier left, the red devil's noisy voice soon sounded in the library.

Agares tapped his black nails on the table, looking like he was just watching the excitement: "How about it, Arthur, do you want to come and talk to me? The proposition "On Integral Curves on Double Surfaces" is very important for Humans may be a little more difficult, but the erudite Professor Agares can write a shocking paper faster than Barr can empty a septic tank."

Arthur's response to Agares's ridicule was quite simple and straightforward: "Damn it! Shut up, Agares. If you have time, why not help me recall how the expression of the hyperbolic sine function is written? Yes? I remember they seem to be related to trigonometric functions? Cosh X=Cos iX?”

When Agares heard this, he couldn't help but cover his mouth in pretended surprise: "Oh, my dear Arthur, I really don't know, you actually understand this? It seems that I have to admit, University of London History The average mathematical literacy of graduates from the department is still significantly higher than that of your graduates from the Department of Classical Literature. At least you are better than Elder, although your ability is limited. "

Arthur was disturbed by the red devil. He knew that he could never count on this guy at this time.

Although it is impossible for him to write a mathematical paper with great enthusiasm, he must at least list a few calculations to prove that he has worked hard.

He admitted that there was indeed a gap between British mathematics and French mathematics, but it definitely should not be to this extent.

Arthur bit the bullet and opened the calculation paper. Just when he was about to drain his brain cells and block the glory of British mathematics, he suddenly found that the calculation paper in front of him was filled with writing.

Arthur frowned when he saw this, and even his expression became subtle.

This was not because he couldn't understand the calculation formulas on the calculation paper, but on the contrary. He was surprised to find that all these formulas seemed familiar to him.

The Red Devil also noticed Arthur's unusual behavior. He came over to take a look, curled his lips and said: "The research speed of you humans is not bad, but you have actually advanced here. But, Arthur, you are staring at What are you looking at in these expressions? These Greek letters are separated. You know them as alpha, beta and gamma. Put them together. Do you know what this means? Why are you, a semi-literate history major, pretending to be here? philosopher?"

Agares thought that his words would anger Arthur, but when he turned his head, he found that the boy had returned to his trademark gentle smile at some point.

His body is exuding and permeating with a confident temperament that makes the Red Devil quite disgusted.

A bad feeling suddenly arose in Agares's heart. He subconsciously wanted to lower the price and said: "The last quotation is fifteen souls. I will help you get the paper. If you add five more, the calculation paper I’ve also helped you with the derivation.”

"No need, Agares."

Arthur smiled and picked up the calculation paper: "I am indeed semi-literate, and I am not proficient in mathematics and physics. However, regarding the derivation on this calculation paper, I have already agreed with you before making a deal with you. Others have traded it for a total of one hundred and fifty yuan. For a college student, this is not a small amount of money, and it is enough for me to remember it for a lifetime."

"Huh?" Agares said doubtfully: "Arthur, you want to play hard-to-get with me again? Do you think I don't know what you are thinking, and you want to force me to lower the price!"

Arthur smiled calmly and said: "Agares, let's make a bet. If I can deduce the rest of the process on this calculation paper, you will help me write the paper for free. On the contrary Yes, if I can’t do it, then I’ll pay you double my soul. Do you want to think about it?”

Arthur's performance as a guest made the Red Devil a little less confident. He stared at Arthur's eyes suspiciously, as if trying to find out the bluff.

But no matter how he looked, he couldn't see any hesitation in Arthur, as if this kid really knew how to solve this problem.

But the Red Devil does not believe that Arthur can conquer the expansion of the Euler equation in front of him. Moreover, Agares is very clear that the final result of this equation depends on the boundary conditions, that is to say, its derivation The results are not unique.

Agares knew very well what mathematical skills Arthur had.

As a country pigherd from York, the biggest mathematical problem Sir Arthur Hastings has encountered so far is the problem of classifying male and female piglets, and most of the mathematical education he receives daily is just simple. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

At this time, he suddenly said that he had become a mathematician at the level of the French Academy of Sciences. Who would believe it?

Agares hesitated again and again, and finally squinted his eyes and nodded slightly: "Yes, but I have a condition. You must provide at least three derivations under different boundary conditions."

Unexpectedly, Arthur seemed to be relieved when he heard Agares' words. He smiled and nodded and said, "Agares, you are really considerate. I only know three. If you want a fourth, then we can't do business today."

Agares was more certain that Arthur was lying to him when he heard this: "I said three and you know three? Okay! I bet with you!"

Arthur opened the pen, and as the tip of the pen touched the calculation paper, the feeling of the student days seemed to be attached to him again.

Facing the bright sunshine outside the window, through the glass window, you can see his always brilliant smile.

"I am ashamed. It seems that I have to make a small contribution to fluid mechanics today."

PS: I am catching a flight today, so I will update it in advance.