In the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics, the wave-particle duality refers to the understanding that particles, such as subatomic particles, can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties. The wave aspect is often described by a mathematical entity called the wavefunction, which represents the probability distribution of finding a particle in different states or locations.
It's important to note that the wavefunction is not a physical wave in the conventional sense that propagates through a medium like water or air. Instead, it is a mathematical description that encodes the probabilities of different outcomes when measuring certain properties of a particle, such as its position or momentum. The wavefunction itself does not physically spread or move through space.
The wave-like behavior of particles in quantum mechanics is often illustrated through interference and superposition phenomena. These phenomena demonstrate that particles can exhibit wave-like behavior in terms of their probabilities, even though they do not involve a physical medium for propagation. The wavefunction describes the behavior of the particle, including the probabilities of different outcomes, but it does not represent a physical substance or wave spreading through any medium.
The wave-particle duality is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, and the interpretation of the wavefunction is still a topic of debate among physicists. Different interpretations, such as the Copenhagen interpretation, offer various perspectives on the underlying nature of quantum phenomena, but they all agree on the probabilistic nature of the wavefunction and its role in describing the behavior of particles at the quantum level.