The behavior of subatomic particles as both particles and waves is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, which is the branch of physics that describes the behavior of particles at the microscopic level. This behavior is captured by a mathematical framework called wave-particle duality.
In classical physics, particles are understood as discrete entities with definite positions and velocities. However, at the quantum level, the behavior of particles is described by wavefunctions, which are mathematical functions that evolve over time and space. The wavefunction describes the probability distribution of finding a particle in different states or locations.
The wave-particle duality suggests that particles can exhibit wave-like properties and particle-like properties simultaneously. This means that particles can exhibit characteristics of waves, such as interference and diffraction, as well as characteristics of particles, such as localized positions and momenta.
The wave-like behavior of particles is manifested through phenomena like diffraction, where particles can spread out and exhibit interference patterns when passing through narrow slits or encountering obstacles. The particle-like behavior is observed when individual particles are detected at specific locations, behaving as discrete entities.
This dual nature arises from the underlying mathematical framework of quantum mechanics, which treats particles as quantum entities governed by probability amplitudes. The behavior of particles is described by wavefunctions, which undergo superposition (combination) and collapse (measurement) processes when interacting with the environment.
It's important to note that the wave-particle duality is not a contradiction, but rather a reflection of the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics. The behavior of particles is inherently probabilistic, and the wave-like and particle-like aspects are complementary descriptions that capture different aspects of the particle's behavior, depending on the experimental setup and observation.