Yes, according to the principles of quantum mechanics, particles can exhibit wave-like behavior, and this concept is known as wave-particle duality. This duality is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and is best exemplified by the behavior of subatomic particles, such as electrons and photons.
In experiments, particles have been observed to display both particle-like and wave-like properties depending on how they are observed or measured. For instance, when studying the behavior of electrons, experiments have shown that they can exhibit interference patterns similar to those produced by waves, suggesting their wave-like nature. At the same time, electrons can also behave as discrete particles when interacting with detectors, as they can be localized to specific positions.
The famous double-slit experiment is often used to illustrate wave-particle duality. In this experiment, particles, such as electrons or photons, are sent through a barrier with two slits. When observed, they produce an interference pattern on a screen behind the barrier, as if they had behaved like waves. However, when individual particles are detected, they appear as localized impacts, as if they were particles.
Wave-particle duality challenges our classical intuition about the nature of matter and energy. In reality, particles at the quantum level exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties, depending on the experimental setup and the act of measurement or observation. The wave-particle duality of quantum entities is a fundamental aspect of nature that has been extensively validated through experiments.