Particles in quantum mechanics exhibit characteristics of both particles and waves, depending on the context and the experimental setup. This duality is known as the wave-particle duality.
In some experiments, particles, such as electrons or photons, behave as discrete entities with distinct positions and momenta, similar to classical particles. This particle-like behavior is observed, for example, in the detection of individual particles in a particle detector or in the measurement of their momentum.
On the other hand, particles also exhibit wave-like behavior. This is evident in phenomena such as interference and diffraction patterns, similar to what is observed with classical waves like water waves or sound waves. The wave-like behavior is characterized by properties such as wavelength, frequency, and superposition.
The wave-particle duality is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. It tells us that particles, at the microscopic level, can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties. The behavior of particles is described mathematically by wavefunctions, which are mathematical entities that represent the probability distribution of a particle's properties (e.g., position, momentum) and can exhibit wave-like behavior.
So, while particles are not strictly "just waves" or "just particles," they possess characteristics of both, and their behavior is described by a wavefunction that captures this duality. The wave-particle duality is a profound aspect of quantum mechanics and forms the basis for our understanding of the behavior of matter at the quantum level.