Core Viewpoint - The discussion between Zhang Chaoyang and Xu Yihong highlights the historical development and unification of physics theories, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and creativity in advancing the field [1][3]. Group 1: Historical Milestones in Physics - 2025 marks significant anniversaries for key physics theories, including the 120th anniversary of special relativity and the 110th anniversary of general relativity, indicating major advancements in human understanding of nature [3]. - Newton unified the laws of mechanics for celestial and terrestrial bodies, while Maxwell completed the classical unification of electricity and magnetism [3]. - Einstein's contributions through special and general relativity revealed profound connections between spacetime and gravity, leading to a deeper understanding of the universe [3]. Group 2: Quantum Mechanics and Field Theory - Quantum mechanics, through Schrödinger's wave equation and Heisenberg's matrix mechanics, established a foundational framework for modern physics, culminating in the development of quantum field theory [4]. - Quantum field theory is recognized as one of the most powerful and successful theories in human history, accurately calculating atomic spectra and the electron magnetic moment [4]. Group 3: The Role of Serendipity in Theoretical Development - Important theoretical advancements often stem from existing theories that may not receive immediate attention, as illustrated by Maxwell's equations hinting at Lorentz symmetry [6][8]. - The development of new theories requires both intellectual insight and a degree of luck, as demonstrated by Einstein's timely corrections to his predictions regarding light bending [8]. Group 4: The Future of Physics and AI - Current AI capabilities are limited to processing vast amounts of data and cannot replicate human intuition in exploring physics, which remains reliant on human creativity and thought [9].

31名教师获"南京大学优秀科技成果奖"；"789科技攻关计划"正式发布……5月21日，南京大学科技 创新大会举行。据悉，"南京大学优秀科技成果奖"系首次颁发，共设置"科学前沿突破奖""重大科技任务 奖""重大平台建设奖""产业科技创新奖""国际科技合作奖"5类奖项。 中国科学院院士、南京大学地球科学与工程学院沈树忠团队也获得"科学前沿突破奖"。大数据和人 工智能背景下，该团队围绕泛大陆关键转折期的生物与环境、早期生物多样性起源与演化，整合地层 学、古生物学等多学科数据，结合人工智能算法，建立全球高分辨率海洋生物多样性曲线，揭示25亿 到2.5亿年前生物多样性演化、生物大灭绝的精确过程。 南京大学物理学院杜灵杰教授获"科学前沿突破奖"。他领衔的团队在量子科技领域实现"从0到1"的 突破，在世界上首次观察到凝聚态物质中的引力子模，并自主研发搭建全球首台实验装置，相关成果发 表于《自然》杂志。"引力子的研究是物理学的终极问题之一，是实现爱因斯坦毕生追求的大统一理论 之关键步骤，但引力子在天文上的观测极为困难，引力子激发的研究为在凝聚态系统中探索引力子物理 指出了一条新的道路。"杜灵杰说，这是一个重大的基础科学问题， ...