Renowned for his groundbreaking work in theoretical physics, Yang’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the scientific community.
On October 18, 2025, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen-Ning Yang passed away in Beijing at the age of 103. Born in Hefei, Anhui Province, China, in 1922, Yang made significant contributions to the field of theoretical physics. In 1957, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Tsung-Dao Lee for their groundbreaking work on the violation of parity conservation in weak nuclear interactions—a discovery that revolutionized the understanding of fundamental symmetries in physics.
Yang’s most profound contribution was changing the mindset of Chinese people who once believed they were not as good as others in science and inspiring future generations to believe they could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best scientists.
Scientific Contributions
- Yang–Mills Theory: In 1954, Yang co-authored a set of equations with American physicist Robert Mills that described how three of nature’s four fundamental forces—electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions—operate in the subatomic world. This theory laid the mathematical foundation for what later became known as the Standard Model, the cornerstone of modern physics that unifies these forces and explains the behavior of all known elementary particles.
Legacy and Influence
Yang’s legacy extends beyond his scientific achievements. He played a pivotal role in bridging scientific communities between China and the West. After renouncing his U.S. citizenship in 2015, Yang returned to China, where he contributed to the development of scientific research and education. His work inspired generations of physicists and reinforced the importance of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge.
