Ive been busy with the Open University level one German language module. Ive also spent a fair time reading,

Facts and Mysteries in Elementary Particles explains the subject very clearly, although the quick summary of Quantum electro Dynamics and Quantum Chromo dynamics is going to need a few more readthroughs. It was interesting to find out that the majority of the mass we experience is due to the force resulting from the gluons holding quarks together.  It would be nice to understand how this force relates to superstring theory , but that may be a tad difficult to follow.

I'm currently reading Deviate, The science of seeing differently.  Ive always wondered about light. I get that a photon is created from the fusion of two atoms , it travels as an electromagnetic wave,  due to quantum mechanics it can only be seen when it reacts with another particle, and is 'reflected' by an object via the quantum leaps of related electrons.  But a silly question ive never go an answer to is that, if you observe a photon as it is 'reflected' from an object - why cant you see a constant  stream of photons as they are  'reflected' from the object to your eye ? Ive tried to get an answer from a different viewpoint - the way our brain  'see's the world. 

An interesting idea was brought up in the Quantum Mechanics book, the concept that a particle such as an atom is not a solid object. If you've ever created a ball out of elastic bands, then if you imagine this hollowed out, then this is the wavefunction of the electron, an almost solid shell with a pretty much hollow centre. The 'nucleus' is really just three smaller balls of energy that make up the quarks. So the solid atom is a deception seen from the perspective that allows the balls of energy to act as solid objects. Since there are gaps in the elastic band sphere, this is where quantum tunnelling takes place, there is no solid wall, only very small gaps. 

When seen from this perspective it is easier to imagine an electromagnetic disturbance coming across an electron, it then interacts via a  small parcel of energy called a photon, which gives the electron a kick and allows it to jump to a larger orbit. We only see the photon emitted, so we see an object that has 'colour', a construct our brain creates to identify different levels of energy.

I'm reading a book about Quantum Gravity. The idea of gravitons forming around open superstrings, with one end having a surplus -  to form what would become an electromagnetic dipole makes sense to me, but i am confused about the concept of the universe begining from a 'white hole'.  How can a wormhole form inside a black hole that allows gravitons to escape and create a big bang? Surely a wormhole would need something to attach both ends to, and an area outside a known universe would not exist - still it makes you wonder.

Ive just submitted my first assignment of the first level German University course. A very different experience to what I'm used to, learning a new language is going to be a big challenge but I cant wait to see how I'll progress  in the the next few years. Recording yourself and listening back with a critical 'ear' takes getting used to.