Yes, matter can be described in terms of both waves and particles/objects. This is known as wave-particle duality, a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics.
According to classical physics, matter was believed to exist solely as particles or objects with definite positions and velocities. However, with the advent of quantum mechanics, it was discovered that at the subatomic level, particles such as electrons and photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.
On one hand, matter can exhibit wave-like behavior. This is evident from phenomena such as interference and diffraction, where matter waves can interfere with each other or diffract through small openings, similar to how waves in water or sound waves behave. This wave-like behavior is described by mathematical equations, such as the Schrödinger equation, which give rise to wave functions that describe the probabilities of finding particles in different states.
On the other hand, matter also exhibits particle-like behavior. This is seen in experiments such as the photoelectric effect or particle collisions, where the behavior of matter can be explained by treating it as discrete, localized particles. In these cases, the energy or momentum transfer can be explained by considering the particle nature of matter.
The wave-particle duality of matter is not a contradiction but rather a fundamental property of quantum mechanics. The behavior of matter depends on the experimental setup and the context in which it is observed. Sometimes matter behaves more like a wave, and in other situations, it behaves more like a particle.
In summary, matter can be described in terms of waves and particles/objects because both aspects are essential to understanding its behavior at the quantum level. Wave-particle duality provides a more comprehensive framework to describe and explain the properties and interactions of matter.