The wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics refers to the dual nature of particles, where they can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties depending on the experimental setup and observation. It is not accurate to describe it solely as a wave that sometimes behaves like a particle or vice versa.
In quantum mechanics, particles are described by wave functions, which are mathematical descriptions that contain information about the probability distribution of the particle's properties, such as position, momentum, and energy. The wave function represents the wave-like nature of the particle, exhibiting interference and diffraction phenomena.
However, when a measurement is performed on a particle, its behavior appears to be particle-like. For example, the measurement of a particle's position collapses the wave function, and the particle is observed to be at a specific position. Similarly, the measurement of a particle's momentum collapses the wave function, and the particle is observed to have a specific momentum value.
The wave-particle duality implies that particles can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior depending on the experimental context. It is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and has been extensively confirmed through numerous experiments and observations.
Therefore, it is more accurate to describe the wave-particle duality as a fundamental property of quantum objects, where they possess characteristics of both waves and particles and exhibit different behaviors depending on the experimental setup and observation.