Electrons, like other particles, exhibit wave-particle duality. This means that they can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior, depending on how they are observed or measured.
In terms of their wave-like behavior, electrons can be described by a mathematical function called a wavefunction, which describes the probability distribution of finding an electron at different positions. This wavefunction can exhibit wave-like properties, such as interference and diffraction, similar to the behavior of waves like light waves.
However, it's important to note that this wave-like behavior does not mean that electrons are physically "spreading out" like waves in space. The wave nature of electrons is a mathematical description that helps us understand their behavior and predict their probabilities of being in certain states or locations.
When a measurement is made on an electron, such as its position or momentum, the wavefunction "collapses" to a specific value corresponding to the measurement outcome, and the electron behaves more like a localized particle. This behavior is often described by the concept of wavefunction collapse or quantum measurement.
So, while electrons can exhibit wave-like behavior, they do not travel in a literal wave-like path through space. Instead, the wave-particle duality of electrons means that they can exhibit characteristics of both waves and particles, depending on how they are observed or measured.