Yes, light exhibits both particle and wave characteristics, depending on how it is observed and the context in which it is studied. This duality is known as the wave-particle duality of light, which is a fundamental concept in quantum physics.
In certain experiments and observations, light behaves like a wave. For example, when light passes through a double-slit experiment, it forms an interference pattern characteristic of wave behavior. This interference pattern indicates that light waves can interfere constructively or destructively, similar to other types of waves, such as water waves.
On the other hand, light can also exhibit particle-like behavior. This is particularly evident in experiments involving the interaction of light with matter, such as the photoelectric effect or the Compton effect. In the photoelectric effect, light is observed to behave as discrete packets of energy called photons, which can transfer their energy to electrons in a material. The energy of each photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the light wave.
The wave-particle duality of light is not limited to different times but is inherent to the nature of light itself. The behavior of light as a wave or a particle depends on the experimental setup and the type of observation being made. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to describe light in terms of its wave nature, while in other cases, its particle nature is more useful for understanding and predicting its behavior. Quantum physics provides a mathematical framework, such as wave functions and probability amplitudes, to describe and calculate the dual behavior of light.