Electrons, like other quantum particles, can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. This phenomenon is known as wave-particle duality. However, it is important to note that electrons themselves do not "travel" as waves or particles in a literal sense. Rather, their behavior and characteristics can be described in terms of wave functions, which represent the probability distribution of finding the electron in a particular state or location.
When electrons are not being observed or measured, their behavior is described by wave functions, and they can exhibit wave-like properties, such as interference and diffraction. This means that electrons can interfere with themselves, producing an interference pattern similar to what is observed in classical wave phenomena.
The double-slit experiment with electrons, for example, demonstrates this wave-particle duality. When a beam of electrons is directed at a barrier with two slits and no attempt is made to measure which slit each electron passes through, an interference pattern is observed on a screen behind the barrier. This pattern is characteristic of waves and indicates that the electrons have exhibited wave-like behavior.
However, it is important to note that when electrons are observed or measured, their wave function collapses, and they behave more like localized particles with specific properties such as position and momentum. This collapse of the wave function is often referred to as the measurement problem in quantum mechanics.
In summary, electrons can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. They can travel as a superposition of multiple states described by a wave function, which gives rise to wave-like phenomena such as interference patterns. However, when measured or observed, their behavior becomes more particle-like and localized. The exact behavior of electrons depends on the specific experimental conditions and the act of measurement or observation.