The behavior of subatomic particles, such as electrons, is often described by wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics. According to this principle, particles like electrons can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, depending on how they are observed or measured.
When an electron is not being observed or measured, it can be described by a wave function, which represents the probability distribution of finding the electron in different states or locations. This wave function is typically represented as a wave spread out in space.
However, when the electron is observed or measured, something called wave function collapse occurs. The act of measurement interacts with the electron, causing its wave function to "collapse" into a specific state or location. As a result, the electron appears as a particle localized at a particular position.
The key point to understand is that the act of observation or measurement inevitably disturbs the electron's state, disrupting its wave-like behavior. This disturbance is not simply caused by the act of watching, but rather by the interaction between the measuring apparatus and the electron.
In experiments, techniques like scattering photons or using detectors to "observe" the electron typically involve the transfer of energy or momentum to the electron. This interaction disrupts the electron's wave function and causes it to behave more like a particle.
In summary, it is not the act of observation alone that causes an electron to stop behaving as a wave, but rather the interaction between the observer and the electron that disturbs its wave function and collapses it into a localized state.