The dual nature of light can be a bit confusing, but I'll try to explain it. When we say that light exhibits both particle-like and wave-like behavior, we are referring to different aspects of its nature, depending on how it is observed or measured.
From a wave perspective, light is described as an electromagnetic wave. This wave consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space, similar to ripples moving through water. These fields interact with each other and with charged particles in their surroundings, giving rise to phenomena like interference and diffraction.
On the other hand, when we consider the particle-like behavior of light, we think of it as being composed of discrete packets of energy called photons. Each photon carries a certain amount of energy and momentum. When light interacts with matter, such as when it is absorbed or reflected, it does so in individual photon interactions.
However, it's important to note that these "particles" of light, the photons, do not move in a zig-zag or wave-like pattern through space. Rather, they are distributed throughout space, and their behavior is governed by probability distributions described by quantum mechanics. The wave-particle duality of light means that it can exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles, but it does not mean that the individual photons themselves move in a wave-like manner.
So, in summary, the wave nature of light refers to the propagation of the electromagnetic wave through space, while the particle nature refers to the discrete energy packets (photons) that interact with matter.