Photons are particles that exhibit properties of both particles and waves, leading to the concept of wave-particle duality. This duality is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics.
As particles, photons can be considered as discrete packets of energy and momentum. They have quantized properties such as energy, momentum, and spin. Photons are the fundamental particles of light and electromagnetic radiation.
On the other hand, photons also exhibit wave-like behavior. This wave-like behavior is described by the mathematical framework of wave functions and is associated with phenomena like interference, diffraction, and polarization. The wave nature of photons is manifested in phenomena such as the double-slit experiment, where photons exhibit interference patterns characteristic of waves.
The wave-particle duality of photons, and indeed all particles in quantum mechanics, means that they can display both particle-like and wave-like properties depending on the experimental setup or observation. This duality is not limited to photons but extends to other particles as well, such as electrons and other quantum objects.
It's important to note that the wave-particle duality is not a matter of photons being "particles that behave like waves" in a classical sense. Instead, it is a fundamental property of quantum objects where their behavior is inherently described by both particle and wave characteristics. The wave-particle duality is a central concept in quantum mechanics that challenges our classical intuitions about the nature of particles and waves.