[sdiy] A layman's guide to quantum physics...

[Bob Weigel]

It's great to think about this stuff.  Examining a single electron in an 
'ideal' system of some kind...yes there would be 'quantum states' of 
being.  We're talking cutting edge of science  in terms of...what 
happens in the transitions between these quantum states.  The general 
schooled masses gain only a peripheral understanding of what quantum 
physics is really about.  THE REASON things are observed only in one 
general state of being is because of the harmonic interactions that are 
occurring.   You can get a conceptual clue of what I'm talking about by 
playing trumpet on a piece of pipe :-).  Try to gradually swing the 
pitch between two 'notes' on this instrument.  No...try harder 
grasshopper Ahhh...now you have learned a valuable lesson.  And you have 
a red ring around your lips and should not go out for a while.  hehe.
      But seriously...this phenomena has it's place in teaching 
something valuable.  Subatomic interactions are what I would term as 
'intensely tight'.  Very small distances and forces which as a result 
have dynamics that are OFF THE CHARTS in the respect of what we are 
familiar with by doing experiments like the one above. 
       So...you see quantum physics isn't necessarily saying that the 
electron just ..was in one place then for no reason appears in another.  
There are vast numbers of interactions as elecrons move through a metal 
lattice; bopping between these states of harmonic interaction with atoms 
in the lattice and moving on to the next.  The universe is...an 
amazingly 'well oiled' machine.  But some of us (who aren't following 
the path of the forefathers who claimed we were the center of the 
universe...ahem...) believe even that there are 'losses' as light 
travels through space.  That there is an unperceived depth of 
interaction in that great unknown we call 'space' which is subtle but 
colors everything to make it...just a little more.... analog.  If you 
don't understand what I'm saying...keep blowing that pipe...no don't 
smoke it..BLOW IT...and contemplate this until your eyes are opened...or 
you hyperventilate.  -Bob