Yes, particles can exhibit both wave and particle properties simultaneously, a phenomenon known as wave-particle duality. This concept is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics. According to wave-particle duality, particles such as electrons, photons, and other fundamental particles can exhibit wave-like behavior under certain conditions and particle-like behavior under different conditions.
In experiments, particles can display interference and diffraction patterns, which are characteristic of waves. For example, the famous double-slit experiment demonstrates that even individual particles, when passed through a barrier with two slits, can create an interference pattern on a screen, similar to what would be expected for waves passing through the slits. This suggests that particles can exhibit wave-like properties.
On the other hand, particles also exhibit particle-like behavior, as they can be localized at specific positions and have discrete energy levels. For instance, when particles are detected, they are observed at specific points rather than being spread out like waves. Additionally, the photoelectric effect, where photons (particles of light) eject electrons from a material, can be explained by treating light as discrete particles (photons) rather than waves.
Wave-particle duality is a fundamental characteristic of the quantum world, and it has been experimentally confirmed through numerous experiments and observations. The behavior of particles depends on the experimental setup and the specific conditions under which they are observed. The wave-like and particle-like behavior of particles is described by mathematical equations such as wave functions and probability amplitudes in quantum mechanics.