The particle-wave duality is a fundamental concept of quantum mechanics and cannot be fully explained or understood using classical physics alone. Classical physics, which includes classical mechanics and classical electromagnetic theory, operates on different principles and assumptions compared to quantum mechanics.
In classical physics, particles are considered as localized objects with well-defined positions and trajectories, while waves are described by continuous fields that propagate and interact according to classical wave equations. There is a clear distinction between particles and waves, and they are not considered to possess simultaneous particle-like and wave-like properties.
Quantum mechanics, on the other hand, introduces a different framework that allows for the description of microscopic particles and their behavior. It is based on the wave function, which represents the probability distribution of a particle's properties (such as position, momentum, and energy). The wave function can exhibit wave-like behavior, with interference and superposition, as well as particle-like behavior, with discrete energy levels and quantized observables.
The wave-particle duality arises in quantum mechanics as a fundamental aspect of the wave nature of particles. It is not something that can be directly explained or understood using classical concepts alone. Quantum mechanics provides a mathematical framework and formalism that accurately describes the behavior of particles at the microscopic level and allows for the prediction of experimental results.
While classical physics can be useful for describing macroscopic phenomena and is a valid and effective theory in its domain of applicability, it fails to capture the intricacies and peculiarities of quantum behavior. To understand the particle-wave duality and related phenomena, one needs to delve into the formalism and principles of quantum mechanics.