Difference between revisions of "Wave-particle duality"
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'''Wave-particle duality''' is the concept that matter and energy have both a [[wave]] nature and a [[particle]] nature. It is a fundamental result predicted by [[quantum mechanics]]. | '''Wave-particle duality''' is the concept that matter and energy have both a [[wave]] nature and a [[particle]] nature. It is a fundamental result predicted by [[quantum mechanics]]. | ||
| − | Whether waves or particles are better suited for describing a system depends on the circumstances. For example, light is usually characterized as waves in most every-day applications, but [[photon]]s (light particles) must be considered in some situations, such as the [[photoelectric effect]] and most particle physics experiments. | + | Whether waves or particles are better suited for describing a system depends on the circumstances. For example, light is usually characterized as waves in most every-day applications, but [[photon]]s (light particles) must be considered in some situations, such as the [[photoelectric effect]] and most particle physics experiments. |
[[Category:Physics]] | [[Category:Physics]] | ||
[[Category:Quantum Mechanics]] | [[Category:Quantum Mechanics]] | ||
Revision as of 16:50, May 18, 2011
Wave-particle duality is the concept that matter and energy have both a wave nature and a particle nature. It is a fundamental result predicted by quantum mechanics.
Whether waves or particles are better suited for describing a system depends on the circumstances. For example, light is usually characterized as waves in most every-day applications, but photons (light particles) must be considered in some situations, such as the photoelectric effect and most particle physics experiments.
