Yes, according to the principles of quantum mechanics, subatomic particles such as electrons can exhibit characteristics of both particles and waves. This phenomenon is known as wave-particle duality.
In classical physics, objects are generally regarded as either particles or waves, but quantum mechanics introduces a different perspective. It suggests that particles such as electrons do not have well-defined properties like position and momentum until they are measured or observed. Instead, they exist in a superposition of all possible states, which can exhibit wave-like behavior.
The wave-particle duality of subatomic particles is mathematically described by wave functions, which are solutions to Schrödinger's equation in quantum mechanics. These wave functions assign probabilities to different states or properties of particles. When a measurement is made, the wave function "collapses" to a specific state corresponding to the observed property.
Experimental evidence supports the wave-particle duality. For instance, the famous double-slit experiment demonstrates that when electrons or other particles pass through a barrier with two slits, they create an interference pattern on the other side, similar to what would be expected of waves. This interference pattern suggests that the particles exhibit wave-like behavior. However, when detectors are placed to determine which slit the particles pass through, the interference pattern disappears, and the particles behave more like individual particles.
The exact physical mechanism behind wave-particle duality is still a topic of ongoing research and debate. Various interpretations, such as the Copenhagen interpretation and the pilot wave theory, provide different perspectives on the nature of particles and waves in quantum mechanics. However, the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics, which successfully describes and predicts the behavior of subatomic particles, is widely accepted among physicists.