Chen-Ning Yang, a Chinese-American theoretical physicist who has passed away at the age of 103, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957. Born in Hefei, China, and raised in Beijing, Yang would go on to make groundbreaking contributions to the field of particle physics.
In 1950, while working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, Yang befriended Tsung-Dao Lee, another young Chinese émigré. Together, they overturned the widely accepted "parity laws" that stated fundamental subatomic particles had symmetrical forces acting on them. This breakthrough led to a new understanding of mirror symmetry and paved the way for Yang's work on gauge theories.
Yang's most notable contribution was his development of the Yang-Mills theories, which describe the weak and strong nuclear forces. His idea, first conceived in 1953, revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature. However, this breakthrough came with a price – Yang faced skepticism from prominent physicists, including Wolfgang Pauli, who questioned the validity of his theory.
One fateful seminar at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study marked a turning point for Yang. Pauli's scathing criticism of his work left Yang visibly shaken. The event was later immortalized in letters between Yang and Pauli, which revealed the depth of their intellectual rivalry. Despite this setback, Yang persevered and continued to develop his theories.
Yang's groundbreaking work on gauge theories laid the foundation for our modern understanding of particle physics. His insight into the violation of mirror symmetry, combined with the development of the Higgs boson mechanism in 2012, formed the cornerstone of today's standard model of particles and forces.
Throughout his illustrious career, Yang held various positions at prominent institutions, including Stony Brook University and Tsinghua University in China. He was also a recipient of numerous awards, including the US National Medal of Science and the Albert Einstein medal.
Yang is survived by his wife Weng Fan, as well as their two sons from his previous marriage.
In 1950, while working at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, Yang befriended Tsung-Dao Lee, another young Chinese émigré. Together, they overturned the widely accepted "parity laws" that stated fundamental subatomic particles had symmetrical forces acting on them. This breakthrough led to a new understanding of mirror symmetry and paved the way for Yang's work on gauge theories.
Yang's most notable contribution was his development of the Yang-Mills theories, which describe the weak and strong nuclear forces. His idea, first conceived in 1953, revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature. However, this breakthrough came with a price – Yang faced skepticism from prominent physicists, including Wolfgang Pauli, who questioned the validity of his theory.
One fateful seminar at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study marked a turning point for Yang. Pauli's scathing criticism of his work left Yang visibly shaken. The event was later immortalized in letters between Yang and Pauli, which revealed the depth of their intellectual rivalry. Despite this setback, Yang persevered and continued to develop his theories.
Yang's groundbreaking work on gauge theories laid the foundation for our modern understanding of particle physics. His insight into the violation of mirror symmetry, combined with the development of the Higgs boson mechanism in 2012, formed the cornerstone of today's standard model of particles and forces.
Throughout his illustrious career, Yang held various positions at prominent institutions, including Stony Brook University and Tsinghua University in China. He was also a recipient of numerous awards, including the US National Medal of Science and the Albert Einstein medal.
Yang is survived by his wife Weng Fan, as well as their two sons from his previous marriage.
just read about Chen-Ning Yang's passing at 103 
mind blown he was like a superhero in physics 
and his work on gauge theories is still making waves today 
i mean who else can say they shook up the entire field of particle physics and got roasted by Pauli in the process 
but honestly, that just fueled Yang's fire and we're all better for it 
RIP Chen-Ning Yang 
. I mean, can you imagine what other groundbreaking discoveries could've been made if we had more funding for research institutions? It's like we're stuck in a never-ending cycle of mediocrity 
. And what about Yang's case? He faced skepticism from some prominent physicists, that's just not okay 
. As a society, we need to value our scientists and encourage them to push boundaries, no matter how unpopular their ideas may seem 
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. I'm pretty sure the only thing older than him is Wikipedia's first article 
!
. I mean, 103 years old and still making a mark on physics? that's insane 
. Yang's perseverance paid off in the end, and his work is still influencing our understanding of particle physics today 
. it's a reminder that even when things get tough, we can always learn from each other and push the boundaries of human knowledge 
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Chen-Ning Yang's life story is truly inspiring 
. I think it's amazing how he continued to pursue his passion for physics despite facing skepticism from some prominent physicists 
. What struck me most is how Yang persevered and went on to make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of particle physics 
. His work has paved the way for many modern discoveries, including the Higgs boson mechanism 
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I was just a kid when this was happening and my dad used to tell me about how these physicists were like superheroes in their labs, fighting for the truth. And man, Yang really delivered! 
. But you know what? It only made Yang stronger. He persevered and went on to change our understanding of the universe forever. And let me tell you, it's wild to think that his work is still the foundation for today's particle physics theories! 
Chen-Ning Yang's work on gauge theories changed everything for particle physics. It's crazy to think he faced so much skepticism, even from Pauli 
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Can you believe this guy was doubted so badly he almost threw in the towel but ended up changing the game! I mean, Wolfgang Pauli's harsh words were like a punch to the face, but Yang came back swinging and nailed it! Talk about perseverance... and I guess you could say his name became synonymous with physics – talk about leaving a mark! 
. Anyway, I guess you could say he proved all those naysayers wrong in the end... RIP Chen-Ning Yang 
. It's a great reminder that even in academia, setbacks can be major hurdles to overcome. Anyway, Yang's legacy lives on through his contributions to gauge theories and particle physics... it's mind-blowing to think about how his work laid the foundation for our modern understanding of particles and forces 
. Let's make sure to celebrate his legacy with more Yang-Mills theories & particle physics awesomeness 
. What an incredible life he lived! I mean, to think that this genius was just a young Chinese émigré trying to make sense of the world back in the 50s. He faced so much skepticism and criticism from other physicists, but he never gave up on his ideas