Waves are a fundamental concept in physics and can be broadly described as the propagation of a disturbance or oscillation through a medium or space. Waves carry energy from one place to another without the overall transfer of matter.
Waves can take different forms, such as electromagnetic waves (including light and radio waves) and mechanical waves (such as sound waves or water waves). These waves exhibit characteristic properties, including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and speed, which determine their behavior and interactions.
In the context of particle-wave duality, certain types of waves, particularly electromagnetic waves, can exhibit particle-like behavior. This duality is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. According to this concept, particles, such as photons (particles of light), can exhibit wave-like properties, and conversely, waves can exhibit particle-like properties.
For example, in the case of light, it can exhibit both wave-like behavior (such as interference and diffraction) and particle-like behavior (such as the photoelectric effect and photon emission).
However, it's important to note that waves themselves are not composed of particles in the classical sense. Waves are phenomena characterized by the propagation of energy and disturbances through a medium or space. On the other hand, particles, such as atoms or subatomic particles, are entities with localized positions and distinct properties. While the behavior of waves can be described using mathematical models and wave equations, particles are typically described by quantum mechanics and particle-based models.
In summary, waves are disturbances or oscillations that propagate through a medium or space, carrying energy without transferring matter. Although waves can exhibit particle-like behavior in some contexts, waves themselves are not composed of particles.