50 Greatest Scientific Theorems That Changed Human Civilization

Author: Li Xiaohu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: What kind of world do we face? Are there constant, tangible laws in all things? Can this world be fully understood and mastered by us? The progress of human civilization and advancement has been driven by such questions. The Power: 50 Scientific Theorems That Changed Human Civilization introduces 50 great theorems from fields such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, covering their historical context, their impact on the understanding of science and the world, and the lives and stories of the great scientists behind them. More than a popular science book, it is akin to a historical record of humanity's rational exploration of nature. Since the dawn of humanity, we have embarked on the exploration of nature. Scientists are pioneers embodying the spirit of human exploration, willing to dedicate their wisdom, time, and even lives to scientific discovery. Fermat's Last Theorem captivated mathematicians for over 300 years. In 1993, British mathematician Andrew Wiles, after 9 years of solitary effort, finally earned this honor spanning three centuries. In 1821, Faraday first measured the generation of electricity from magnetism, leaping about like a child in joy, and then threw himself into the experiment of generating electricity from magnetism with great enthusiasm, ultimately succeeding 10 years later. Newton's only joy was knowledge. He mockingly said that natural science was "a troublesome wife," and once he was entangled by her, he had no time for anything else. Bruno stood on the stake, rejecting the chance to live and refusing to kiss the cross already placed before his lips. The discovery of each theorem is a arduous process, requiring the efforts of several generations. Science reveals itself only to perfect human wisdom; mere novel ideas and keen observations are far from enough. Faraday, a bookbinder's apprentice, discovered electromagnetic induction, but without formal education, he could not express this remarkable discovery in scientific language. Twenty years later, the young mathematical genius James Clerk Maxwell expressed electromagnetic phenomena using vector equations, revealing the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, predicting the existence of electromagnetic waves, and asserting that light is a form of electromagnetic wave. Another 20 years passed, and the young German physicist Heinrich Hertz experimentally confirmed the existence of electromagnetic waves, marking the dawn of the electronic age. The power brought by science is boundless. The ancient Pythagorean theorem played a crucial role in tilling fertile land, while rocket formulas ultimately fulfilled humanity's dream of flight. Theoretical thermodynamics provided the foundation for improving steam engines, injecting power into human civilization. Fixed-point theory not only solved engineering problems by aiding in the solution of mathematical equations but also opened the door to topology, offering insights into modern economic problems. The scientists behind the 50 scientific theorems are countless times more than 50. Behind the power of science lies the power of human wisdom, yet these precious sources of human wisdom have been lost in the long history of many dark moments, such as wars, where Archimedes died at the hands of Roman soldiers; social and political darkness, where Lavoisier perished in political struggles; and religious superstition and the ignorance of autocratic rulers, where Kepler, who believed in the harmony of the universe, spent his life in disharmony and died while pursuing unpaid wages from the royal court. This book weaves through the past and present, interspersing the wise words of scientists and philosophers at intervals, leaving readers with an anticipation of enlightenment. It also draws numerous analogies between myths, poetry, and the stories of scientists, making for an engaging and lively read. As for the abundant illustrations, they provide readers with even broader spaces for imagination and association. This is not just a collection of scientific stories in the style of an expository essay. In today's commercial society, it makes us aware of the beauty of science, which is magnificent, reserved, and noble.