Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist renowned for his work on parity laws, has died at the age of 103 in Beijing. His death was reported by Chinese state media on Saturday, with illness cited as the cause, marking the loss of one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
The announcement of Yang’s passing came through multiple reliable news outlets, confirming his demise in the Chinese capital. He was 103 years old and had been ill prior to his death, with the news breaking within the last 24 hours, underscoring the event’s recency and global significance. Official statements highlighted his stature as a national figure in China, where he spent his later years contributing to academic and scientific communities.
Yang is best known for his groundbreaking collaboration with Tsung-Dao Lee, which led to the discovery of parity nonconservation in weak nuclear interactions. Their work earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, revolutionizing the understanding of elementary particles and fundamental symmetries in the universe. The Nobel committee praised their “penetrating investigation” that opened new avenues in particle physics, influencing decades of subsequent research.
Born in 1922 in Anhui province, Yang grew up in an academic environment, with his father serving as a mathematics professor at Tsinghua University. He excelled in his early education, earning a science degree from National Southwest Associated University in Kunming in 1942 and a master’s from Tsinghua University. His intellectual promise was evident from a young age; as a teenager, he famously told his parents of his ambition to win a Nobel Prize.
After the Sino-Japanese War, Yang traveled to the United States on a Tsinghua fellowship, studying at the University of Chicago under the guidance of Enrico Fermi, inventor of the first nuclear reactor. This period solidified his expertise in theoretical physics, and he went on to make contributions across statistical mechanics, particle physics, and symmetry principles. His prolific career included prestigious roles, such as professor at Tsinghua University and honorary dean at its Institute for Advanced Study.
Beyond his scientific achievements, Yang’s personal life drew public attention, particularly his marriages. He was first married to Chih Li Tu in 1950, with whom he had three children, and after her death in 2003, he married Weng Fan in 2004. The latter union, with a significant age difference, was described by Yang as his “final blessing from God,” reflecting his deeply personal outlook amid a life dedicated to science.
Yang’s legacy extends far beyond his Nobel Prize, encompassing honors like the Albert Einstein Commemorative Award and an honorary doctorate from Princeton University. He is remembered as a symbol of China’s intellectual prowess and a bridge between Eastern and Western scientific traditions, inspiring generations of physicists through his mentorship and publications. His work continues to underpin modern research in fields like quantum mechanics and cosmology.
As tributes pour in from the global scientific community, Yang’s death signifies the end of an era for physics. Memorial services are anticipated in Beijing, with colleagues and admirers reflecting on his enduring impact. His life story, from a determined youth to a laureate, remains a testament to the power of curiosity and perseverance in advancing human knowledge.